The Chicago Bears are in a deep hole, and the quarterback room is the reason. A hamstring injury sustained against Minnesota likely sidelines Caleb Williams. His backup, Tyson Bagent, is now stuck in the NFL’s concussion protocol after a hard hit on Sunday. If Bagent does not clear the protocol in time, the team must turn to Case Keenum. This 38-year-old has not started an NFL game since 2023.
A Third-String Starter Against a Top Team
Starting a third-string quarterback on Monday Night Football is a massive risk. The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0 and looking to make it three wins in a row. They have a strong defense that has allowed the league’s sixth-fewest passing yards through two weeks. Facing that unit with Keenum under center sounds like a losing battle on paper. According to a post by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on X, Keenum might start against the Eagles. That news changes the entire game plan for Chicago.
The Eagles have their own issues, but they still look better than this battered Bears offense. Philadelphia lost two key pieces, Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert, which hurts their depth. They even had to sign 35-year-old Zach Ertz to fill the void at tight end. First downs per game place the offense 24th, while success rate ranks 27th. Even with these flaws, they are a threat. The Bears cannot rely on the offense to score points. They must win the game with their defense.
The Defense Is the Only Hope
Fortunately, the Bears defense just showed it can shut down a good team. After giving up 37 points to Carolina, the unit held the Minnesota Vikings to just three field goals. They limited Minnesota to 246 total yards and a poor 3-of-13 mark on third down. Justin Jefferson, one of the best receivers in the league, managed only three catches. This performance proves Dennis Allen’s unit can rebound when it matters most.
Case Keenum has faced the Eagles twice in his career, and it did not go well. He ran the Minnesota Vikings offense in 2017 when the Eagles beat them 38-7 in the NFC Championship. Two seasons later, he started for Washington, and Philadelphia won 32-27. The history is not kind to him against this specific opponent. He has been in the NFL since 2013 and played for many teams, but these matchups are rough. The defense must step up and force turnovers because the offense will struggle to move the ball.
The Bears have 66 career starts on Keenum’s resume, but that experience might not be enough. For the first time this season, the team prepares to play without its starting quarterback. During the 2025 regular season and playoffs, Williams started every game for the Bears.
