38-year-old Case Keenum leads Bears past Eagles in unexpected Monday night start
Case Keenum started at quarterback for the Chicago Bears against Philadelphia after injuries sidelined Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. The 38-year-old completed 24-of-34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-7 win. Keenum said the performance was especially meaningful after times when he thought his playing career might be over.
Keenum, 38, hadn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2023 before Monday. Chicago turned to him because Caleb Williams had a hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent was in concussion protocol. He was the only Bears quarterback to practice all three days before facing Philadelphia.
He threw for 247 yards and two scores while completing 24 of 34 attempts. Against 12 blitz dropbacks, he went 11-for-11 for 145 yards and both touchdowns. His scores went to Luther Burden and Kalif Raymond; coach Ben Johnson awarded him a game ball.
This result may resonate with older athletes, backup players, and fans who value perseverance. It could reinforce that experienced reserves remain valuable when injuries strike, perhaps affecting how teams view veteran depth and how viewers discuss late-career opportunities. For Chicago, a win like this may briefly boost fan optimism and media attention, though its broader social impact is likely limited to sports culture.