CHICAGO — One quarterback threw an interception, no touchdowns and had a QB rating of 64.2. The other was 24-of-34 passing with two touchdowns and a 110.8 rating.
Care to guess which one was the Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago and which one was the 38-year-old playing in his first regular-season NFL game since 2023?
Case Keenum put on one of the more masterful performances of his career on a night he had every excuse to struggle. Pressed into service with Caleb Williams (hamstring) out and backup Tyson Bagent missing most of the week with a concussion, Keenum outplayed Jalen Hurts in the 27-7 win on Monday, Sept. 28.
Even better, it gives the Chicago Bears confidence they'll be just fine until Williams is able to return.
After a vagabond career that
included stops in eight cities over 12 years, Keenum was ready to retire two years ago. Then new Bears coach Ben Johnson called, pitching him on the idea of helping mentor Williams. Almost no one expected Keenum would see the field in an actual game, save maybe for some sentimental mop-up duty.
But the injury gods had different ideas.
Though Johnson expressed confidence in Keenum all week, almost no one did. The Philadelphia Eagles came into Monday Night Football as one of the six teams still unbeaten, with an offense driven by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley and a defense that, according to ProFootballReference.com, was fifth-best against the passing game.
Yet from the very first series, Keenum was in control. He was 5 of 6 on that first drive, including a 16-yard pass to Sam Roush on fourth down and an 8-yard TD to Luther Burden III. He didn't try to do too much but he wasn't simply a game manager, either.
After Philadelphia pulled within 10-7 at halftime, Keenum stepped on the gas in the third quarter. There were back-to-back 12-yard completions that set up a 48-yard field goal Cairo Santos. On Chicago's next series, he was 4-for-4, including a 41-yard TD pass to Kalif Raymond that effectively put the game out of reach.
Now, no one is going to be clamoring for Keenum to take Williams' job. Williams is a former No. 1 pick with generational skills and an improving field vision. He's the Bears' present and future. But Chicago needs this not to be a lost season by the time he gets back, and Keenum showed he can make that happen.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Case Keenum puts on masterful performance with on Caleb Williams sidelines for MNF
