Case Keenum made his first start in 1,009 days on Monday and led Chicago to a 27 to 7 win over Philadelphia at Soldier Field, then was handed the game ball in the locker room.
How did he play?
Like a starter rather than a fill in. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers, and added a third score on a 1 yard sneak. The opening drive ran 11 plays for 66 yards and ended with an 8 yard touchdown to Luther Burden III. A 41 yard throw to Kalif Raymond came late in the third quarter.
What happened under pressure?
The blitz failed completely. Philadelphia sent additional rushers 12 times and Case Keenum went 11 for 11 on those snaps for 145 yards and both passing touchdowns. A defensive coordinator with that reputation calling 12 blitzes and conceding perfect passing on all of them is the single most striking line in the box score.
Why was he starting at all?
Attrition. Caleb Williams is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain expected to cost three to four weeks, and Tyson Bagent did not clear concussion protocol until Sunday. Chicago’s third string quarterback got the assignment.
Who is he?
A 38 year old who came out of retirement in 2025 after the head coach persuaded him to join the quarterback room. This was his 67th career start, and he has now won starts for seven different franchises, tying the most in league history. At 38 years and 223 days he became the second oldest quarterback to win a start for Chicago, behind one other by 116 days.
What did the preparation look like?
He was the only Bears quarterback on the active roster to practice all three days last week, and described 14 to 16 hour days during which he barely saw his family and took calls only from the coach and his wife. The coach said that at the quarterback meeting the night before, Case Keenum ran the session himself, walking through every play on the plan with no prompting from staff, and read that as an indicator of how the game would go.
What did the coach do differently?
Kept throwing. Chicago managed 27 rushing yards in the first half and the running game never got going until late. Rather than grinding at it, the staff stayed in the air, which the quarterback identified afterward as the clearest signal of belief in him.
Is this part of a pattern?
League wide, yes. Teams starting a quarterback other than their Week 1 starter are 6 and 0 this season, the most wins and the best record by such teams through three weeks since the 1970 merger, excluding the strike year. Quarterback injuries have reshaped the early season and backups have so far answered.
What happens next?
Two or three more starts, most likely, before Williams returns. Chicago now has evidence that its third option can win a game against a strong opponent, which changes what the next month looks like.
