Veteran quarterback Case Keenum stepped in for an injured Caleb Williams to throw two touchdowns and run for another, leading the Chicago Bears to a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Making his first start in almost three years, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards to help the Bears improve to 2-1 on the season.
Keenum Efficiently Directs Offense in First Start Since 2023
Keenum’s performance marked his first action under center since he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland on Dec. 24, 2023. Operating head coach Ben Johnson’s offense with precise distribution, the 38-year-old quarterback averaged 12.4 yards per attempt against the blitz and 9.9 yards per attempt when pressured.
“He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognize coverage,” Ben Johnson said after the game. “He knows why we’re calling the play and what we’re looking for and if we’re not getting that he’s accelerating through it really quickly.”
The Bears leaned heavily into an under-center scheme, aligning under center on 58.0% of offensive plays—their highest rate since Week 14 of the 2025 season, according to Next Gen Stats. The unit averaged 6.9 yards per play from under center, posting a season-high 46.2% rushing success rate.
Scoring Breakdown and Game Momentum
Chicago established control early when Keenum capped the opening drive with an 8-yard shovel pass to Luther Burden for a touchdown. In the second half, Keenum connected with a wide-open Kalif Raymond for a 41-yard score. Raymond finished the night with six receptions for 90 yards.
With 7:19 remaining, Keenum capped a 13-play, eight-minute drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback plunge, extending Chicago’s lead to 27-7. It was his first rushing touchdown since 2019 and the seventh of his career.
“To get a shot again like this? Yeah, you dream of it,” Keenum said. “That’s why I’m still here doing this when I get knocked down. I got knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, coming to work, just keep bouncing back.”
Eagles Struggles and Jalen Hurts Injury Scare
Philadelphia fell to 2-1 after committing three turnovers and failing to record a takeaway for the third consecutive game to start the year. Jalen Hurts finished 16 for 25 for 153 yards, while running back Saquon Barkley contributed 82 yards on 15 carries.
Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Hurts drove the Eagles deep into Chicago territory before absorbing a late hit along the sideline from linebacker D’Marco Jackson. Hurts was pulled from the field for a concussion evaluation, and backup Andy Dalton entered the game, promptly throwing an interception to rookie Dillon Thieneman in the end zone.
Hurts returned to score on a quarterback sneak as time expired in the first half, but the Philadelphia offense stalled after the break, gaining only 62 of its 248 total yards in the second half.
“I think we all have to own that loss right there,” Sirianni said. “I don’t think anybody coached well. I don’t think anyone played well. It was a true team loss.”
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