The Chicago Bears will start Case Keenum, their third-string quarterback, in Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, even though primary backup Tyson Bagent has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Starter Caleb Williams remains out with a right hamstring injury and is expected to miss three to four weeks with what ESPN reported Sunday is a Grade 2 strain. It will be the first game Williams has missed since the Bears drafted him first overall in 2024.
Bagent stepped in for Williams during last Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, going 5-for-9 before being sacked on the game’s final play. He suffered a concussion in that outing but returned to practice Saturday and was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
Despite clearing protocol, Bagent won’t get the start. According to Glazer, the Bears and head coach Ben Johnson decided he hadn’t had enough time to prepare for Philadelphia’s defense. Keenum, who has started 66 games over an 11-year career, gets the nod instead. His last start came on Christmas Eve 2023 with the Houston Texans.
Bagent, who has started four games in his NFL career, all as a rookie in 2023, will remain available off the bench if Keenum struggles Monday.
Williams had opened the season by leading Chicago to a 59-point win over the Carolina Panthers, but the offense stalled a week later against Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The Bears enter Monday’s game at 1-1 and are set to host the New York Jets on Oct. 4.
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