The Chicago Bears are expected to turn to 38-year-old veteran quarterback Case Keenum for their Week 3 Monday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28, 2026. The decision comes after starting quarterback Caleb Williams was officially ruled out due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain sustained during Week 2.
- Bears Seek Offense Bounce-Back After Low-Scoring Week
- Historic Night at Soldier Field
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Caleb Williams missing the Monday night game?
- Why is Case Keenum starting instead of Tyson Bagent?
- When was Case Keenum’s last NFL start?
- How many career starts does Case Keenum have?
- Who are the other notable players missing for the Bears?
Keenum gets the starting nod over primary backup Tyson Bagent. Although Bagent cleared the league’s concussion protocol on Sunday, he participated in only a single practice over the course of the week. This limited preparation time against a formidable Philadelphia defense prompted head coach Ben Johnson and the coaching staff to look toward Keenum’s extensive experience for the prime-time game at Soldier Field.
Williams is currently projected to miss three to four weeks, forcing Chicago to rely heavily on its quarterback depth. Keenum will be making his first NFL regular-season start since December 2023, when he made two appearances for the Houston Texans. Entering his 14th NFL season, Keenum boasts 66 career starts, a 62.3% completion rate, 15,175 passing yards, and 79 touchdown passes across eight different franchises.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Keenum expressed confidence in his preparation. “I think people don’t realize in general in the NFL how little reps go around during a game week,” Keenum said. “The starter usually gets all of the first-team reps, and maybe a few for the backup here and there. You know, you’re trying to bank stuff from training camp, but yeah, I feel very prepared.”
Bears Seek Offense Bounce-Back After Low-Scoring Week
Chicago enters the home contest with a 1-1 record, looking to recover from a tough 9-3 defensive loss to the Minnesota Vikings. That low-scoring outing followed an explosive 59-point performance in their season opener. Alongside Williams, the Bears will also be missing linebacker Noah Sewell due to an Achilles injury and defensive lineman Shemar Turner due to a knee issue.
To help ease Keenum into the offense, the Bears will likely lean on running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to establish a strong ground game. A productive rushing attack could provide shorter throws for Keenum and help neutralize an undefeated 2-0 Eagles defense.
Historic Night at Soldier Field
In addition to the high-stakes conference implications, Monday night’s kickoff at 7:15 p.m. will mark a special celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The two-time Grammy-nominated band Mariachi Herencia de Mexico will perform the national anthem, making Bears history as the first mariachi band to perform the anthem at Soldier Field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Caleb Williams missing the Monday night game?
Caleb Williams suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Week 2 and is expected to miss three to four weeks of action.
Why is Case Keenum starting instead of Tyson Bagent?
Although Tyson Bagent cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Sunday, he only participated in a single practice during the week. This limited preparation time led the coaching staff to start the more experienced Case Keenum.
When was Case Keenum’s last NFL start?
Keenum’s last NFL regular-season start came in December 2023 while playing for the Houston Texans.
How many career starts does Case Keenum have?
Entering Monday night’s game, Case Keenum has made 66 career starts across 14 NFL seasons.
Who are the other notable players missing for the Bears?
In addition to Caleb Williams, the Bears will be without linebacker Noah Sewell (Achilles) and defensive lineman Shemar Turner (knee).
