Keenum practices amid murky
situation for the Chicago Bears at QB
[September 24, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — It looks as if Case Keenum is going to
start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Monday night against
Philadelphia. Tyson Bagent and Caleb Williams are two more
possibilities, depending on their health.
When it comes to the QBs for the Bears, very little is certain at
the moment.
The 38-year-old Keenum practiced on Wednesday as Chicago ramped up
its preparation for its matchup with Philadelphia. Keenum hasn't
played in a regular-season game since Dec. 24, 2023, but at least he
is healthy right now.
“We feel really good about whoever ends up playing for us and that
showed in the preseason, shows up in practice every single day,”
coach Ben Johnson said. “So we’re at a point right now, not sure who
the starter is going to be on Monday night. We’ll let this thing
play out and we’ll go from there.”
Keenum has played in 80 regular-season games, including his NFL
debut in 2013 with Houston. He is 30-36 in 66 starts.
He is in his second season with Johnson and Chicago after signing
with the team in April 2025.
“I feel very prepared,” Keenum said. “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.”
Williams left Sunday’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota with a right hamstring
injury after he got hurt on a scramble midway through the fourth
quarter. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft hasn't been ruled out for
the contest against the Eagles, but mobility is a big part of his
game and cautious is the most likely approach for Chicago when it
comes to the franchise's biggest star.
Bagent, 26, was 5 for 9 for 54 yards after he replaced Williams
against the Vikings. He was sacked by Dallas Turner on the final
play of the game.
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Bagent was in line to make his fifth career start.
But Johnson got a text message on Tuesday morning that Bagent was
going to get evaluated for concussion symptoms and he had been
placed in the concussion protocol.
The timeline for his return is unclear.
“Honestly I’m not even in that,” Johnson said. “They’ll let me know
when he’s available."
Chicago, which opened the season with a 59-37 win at Carolina, also
has rookie Miller Moss on its practice squad. The team has no plans
to add another quarterback this week.
Johnson said he is looking at the uncertainty as an “opportunity.”
“I think our guys see it as that as well,” he said. “One of those
things that everyone outside the building I am sure is writing us
off and telling us it can’t be done and we really relish that. And
so guys will step up to the plate, guys that maybe we don’t
anticipate or expect. We have a really talented team.”
Injuries
Johnson said cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hamstring) is week to
week. ... Defensive lineman Shemar Turner and linebacker Noah Sewell
started their 21-day practice windows after opening the season on
the physically unable to perform list. ... Offensive lineman Ozzy
Trapilo practiced fully as he continued his comeback from a patellar
tendon injury. “I feel good. Today was a good day for me,” he said.
“I’m able to sort of put myself into some of those situations that
you end up in on Sundays, especially with the pads on.”
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