CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears delivered a resounding response to their recent struggles, securing a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 28. The win was anchored by a masterful performance from 38-year-old quarterback Case Keenum, who was pressed into service after starter Caleb Williams was ruled out with a hamstring injury and backup Tyson Bagent remained unavailable following a concussion.
Keenum, playing in his first regular-season NFL game since 2023, finished the night 24-of-34 passing for two touchdowns and added a third score with his legs. He concluded the game with a 110.8 quarterback rating, a stark contrast to Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, who threw an interception, no touchdowns, and finished with a 64.2 rating. Reflecting on his unexpected opportunity, Keenum expressed deep emotion, noting that he had thought his playing days might be behind him multiple times before this moment. He described the experience as special and something he would cherish, even if he struggled to put the feeling into words immediately after the game.
The atmosphere on the field following the win was raucous, with Williams seen bear-hugging Keenum as the team celebrated the victory as if it were a decisive January playoff game rather than a Week 3 matchup. The win was particularly significant given the uncertainty surrounding Williams' return timeline, despite reports that his hamstring injury is not as severe as initially feared. After a high-scoring season opener, the Bears had been humbled by the Minnesota Vikings the previous week, leading to questions about the team's true potential. This performance served as a definitive answer to those doubts.
The Bears' offense totaled 375 yards, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers. The defense was equally effective, recording two sacks and intercepting both Jalen Hurts and Andy Dalton, who briefly entered the game while Hurts underwent a concussion evaluation. Aside from a 30-yard pass to DeVonta Smith, the Chicago defense successfully contained the Eagles' offense. Bears coach Ben Johnson expressed pride in how the team responded to the previous week's loss, noting that the results were a direct reflection of the hard work the players put in.
Keenum’s path to this start has been extensive, spanning eight cities over a 12-year career. He had been ready to retire two years ago until Johnson recruited him to mentor Williams. During the week leading up to the game, Keenum maintained a rigorous preparation schedule, often logging 14 to 16-hour days studying film while keeping his phone on "Do Not Disturb" to focus solely on his responsibilities. He credited his ability to bounce back to a career-long habit of working through adversity.
The game began with immediate success for Keenum, who completed 5 of 6 passes on the opening drive, including a 16-yard completion to Sam Roush on fourth down and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III. After the Eagles narrowed the gap to 10-7 by halftime, Keenum accelerated the offense in the third quarter. He led a drive featuring back-to-back 12-yard completions that set up a 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. On the subsequent series, Keenum went 4-for-4, including a 41-yard touchdown pass to Kalif Raymond that effectively put the game out of reach. He capped the night with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown, his first rushing score since 2019.
While Johnson did not commit to a starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 4, the victory provided a significant morale boost. Keenum emphasized that he played with a chip on his shoulder, enjoying the chance to prove his critics wrong while validating the trust placed in him by his teammates and coaches. With the win, the Bears successfully avoided the early-season tailspin that often follows a key injury.
