Bears Quarterback Injury Crisis
Veteran Case Keenum expected to start for Bears amid quarterback injuries
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Key Points
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Caleb Williams suffered the right hamstring injury on a scramble midway through the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota; because mobility is central to his game, the Bears are likely to take a cautious approach even though he has not been ruled out.
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Tyson Bagent completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards after replacing Williams against the Vikings and was sacked by Dallas Turner on the game’s final play. Bagent had been on track to make his fifth career start before concussion symptoms emerged Tuesday.
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Keenum said his regular preparation has largely consisted of mental reps as the third-string quarterback, but he believes his experience will allow Chicago to handle substantial pre-snap responsibilities: “I think as far as operationally goes, I think we can do a lot of things pre-snap, try to get the right play when we can.”
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Ben Johnson offered an especially strong assessment of Keenum’s influence, saying, “He’s just been a baller from the day that he was born from what I can tell,” and adding that Keenum has “a knack” and that “his teammates gravitate to him.”
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Johnson said the Eagles present a difficult matchup, praising coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio while describing Philadelphia as sound on both sides of the ball and in special teams.
The Chicago Bears face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night with their quarterback room in crisis. Rookie Caleb Williams is sidelined by a right hamstring injury suffered against Minnesota, while backup Tyson Bagent entered concussion protocol after replacing him. This leaves veteran Case Keenum as the only active quarterback practicing, making him 101 The Fox's leading candidate to start despite not playing in a regular-season game since December 2023.
Coach Ben Johnson has not officially ruled out Williams or Bagent but praised Keenum's experience and leadership. USA Today reported that Johnson said Keenum has "a knack" and that his teammates "gravitate to him." The Bears are not actively pursuing another quarterback, keeping undrafted rookie Miller Moss on the practice squad as their only backup option.
Williams' Hamstring Injury Changes Everything
Caleb Williams got hurt scrambling midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's 9-3 loss to Minnesota. The right hamstring injury is particularly concerning because mobility is central to his game. The Bears are taking a cautious approach, though Williams has not been officially ruled out. His availability will likely depend on how the injury improves over the next 48 hours.
Bagent's Brief Stint Cut Short by Concussion
Tyson Bagent stepped in after Williams went down and completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards against Minnesota. He was sacked on the game's final play by Dallas Turner. Yahoo Sports reported that Bagent had been on track to start his fifth career game before concussion symptoms emerged Tuesday. He remains uncertain for Monday's matchup pending medical clearance.
Keenum's Experience Could Stabilize the Offense
Case Keenum has spent the season as the third-string quarterback, relying on mental reps rather than live action. But his 13-year NFL career gives him the operational knowledge the Bears need. Keenum said he believes Chicago can "do a lot of things pre-snap, try to get the right play when we can." Clutch Points reported that Keenum is ready to work with coach Ben Johnson, calling him the "GOAT."
Johnson's assessment of Keenum is glowing. USA Today noted that Johnson said Keenum "has been a baller from the day he was born" and praised his influence on teammates. The Bears are counting on Keenum's veteran presence to execute a complex offense against a top-tier defense.
Eagles Present a Formidable Test for Any QB
Philadelphia is a defensive powerhouse under coordinator Vic Fangio. Coach Ben Johnson described the Eagles as sound on offense, defense, and special teams. Starting an unproven or rusty quarterback against this caliber of opponent adds extra pressure to an already difficult Monday night matchup. The Bears' passing game will face its sternest test since the season began.
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