If you asked Chicago Bears fans last week if having 38-year-old Case Keenum take over at quarterback would make them feel comfortable, the overwhelming answer would probably be "no." Before Monday night, Keenum, who went undrafted in 2012, hadn't played in an NFL game in 1,009 days. His record as a starter going into Week 3 was 30-36. He hasn't played a full season since 2018 and has bounced around the league in his 12-year career.
Keenum's age, experience and resume don't make for a sure bet leading a team to victory, but as he took over for an injured Caleb Williams, a victory is exactly where his primetime story led. And his showing should make Bears fans feel a bit more comfortable letting Williams take his time recovering. Williams suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in Week 2, and doctors say the injury usually sidelines a player for three or four weeks.
When he went down with the non-contact injury, Tyson Bagent took over and suffered a concussion. Although Bagent was cleared to play, his lack of practice during the week led the Bears to start their QB3 in Week 3 instead, and it worked out in their favor. Keenum went 24-of-34 with 247 yards, two touchdowns and one touchdown on the ground in the 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
A bold QB sneak call on the goal line gave the almost 39-year-old the title of oldest player in Bears history to run for a touchdown. Keenum seems to have the confidence in himself, something that may not have been easy to come by after being on the sidelines for so long. "My word of the week was trust," Keenum said.
"Trust my preparation, trust my abilities, trust my feet, trust my eyes, trust my O-line, trust the play call, trust the play design. I just trusted it and it worked." The win put Keenum in the history books as the only quarterback other than Ryan Fitzpatrick to win as a starter for seven different franchises. He now has more touchdown passes this season than defending AFC Champion Drake Maye (1) and more rushing touchdowns than Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley (0).
He's also played in two fewer games. Keenum exceeded expectations and earned a game ball, but there's no guarantee he even sees playing time next week. Head coach Ben Johnson has not announced the Week 4 starter, and Bagent still does have the title of QB2.
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