The Bears haven’t named Case Keenum the starter for Monday night’s game against the Eagles, but he could be the next man up.
Keenum was the only quarterback on the active roster to practice Wednesday, with Caleb Williams rehabbing a hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol. Miller Moss, an undrafted rookie on the Bears’ practice squad, took the backup reps to Keenum.
Keenum has started 66 games but none since Dec. 24, 2023, against the Browns. That was also the last game he saw action.
“I feel very prepared,” Keenum said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “It’s what I do every week. It’s what I’ve done for a long time. I’ve backed up a long time in this league. If my name’s called, I’m excited to be out there.”
Keenum, 38, has played for eight different teams since entering the NFL in 2012. He is 3-0 as a starter against Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Keenum has thrown for 15,175 yards and 79 touchdowns.
Coach Ben Johnson, formerly the Lions’ offensive coordinator, has never called plays for a backup quarterback, and both Jared Goff and Caleb Williams were No. 1 overall picks. Keenum was an undrafted free agent but with experience.
“He’s been a baller from the day he was born from what I can tell,” Johnson said. “He’s got that way about him. He’s got a knack. His teammates gravitate to him. I think that’s a good starting point for a quarterback. And of course he’s up there in years a little bit, but that experience has really paid off for him. He sees the game the same way we do. I think he accelerates through his progressions, because he’s seen so many things over the course of his time. He’s been in so many different offenses.
“So in a lot of ways, he might be a step slower than he was when he first entered the league, and yet his mind is going so fast it helps catch him on up. And he’s playing as good of football as he probably has his entire career, is what he’d tell you.”
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