And here. We. Go. Case Keenum, welcome to the Chicago Bears' starting lineup for Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears will start Keenum at quarterback. Keenum took the QB1 snaps for Chicago in practice throughout the week.
Caleb Williams was already ruled out for the game with his hamstring injury and is now expected to miss the next three to four weeks. Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol on Sunday, but will be Keenum's backup for the game.
All eyes are on Keenum as he prepares to make his first NFL start since 2023. He's in for quite a battle against the Eagles, but this risk that Bears head coach Ben Johnson is taking has to pay off.
Bears can't afford to mess around with Case Keenum decision
Understandably, Keenum would get the start since the Bears designed the game plan around his skill set, and he's been practicing as the QB1. Making a sudden change like that at the last second could complicate how the game plays out for them.
That said, the Bears are putting a lot of faith in Keenum despite going three years without a start. Granted, it would be the same situation with Bagent, but there is a key difference between the two quarterbacks. Bagent is more athletic and can use his legs to make plays, while Keenum is a pure pocket passer who doesn't move around often.
Having someone like Bagent who can run would have helped the Bears, since the Eagles' defense has typically been the best against scrambling quarterbacks. In Philly's Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels had 31 yards on five carries, averaging 6.5 yards per rush.
Without the threat of the quarterback running the ball, things are easier for the Eagles...somewhat. They know the Bears will run the ball with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai early and often throughout the game. Heck, those two helped the Bears run for 281 yards on this same Eagles defense on Black Friday last year.
As for what the Bears' passing game could look like, Keenum doesn't have the arm strength he used to have. It will rely more on short passes and screen plays to use the speed of Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, and rookie Zavion Thomas.
Read more: Bears' Week 3 NFC North roundup: Packers embarrassed, Lions and Vikings survived
This is no doubt a risk the Bears took, and they need to make sure it pays off. After their NFC North success this weekend, a loss will only make things worse for the 1-1 Bears.
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