The Chicago Bears are adding to their quarterback room, signing veteran Case Keenum to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Keenum, 37, has played in 80 games over his 11-year career, with his most recent stop being with the Houston Texans. While he was with the Texans the past two seasons, Keenum helped mentor No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud -- who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2023.
The hope is that Keenum can provide that same guidance and wisdom for the Bears' quarterback room and specifically for second-year player Caleb Williams. Although Williams showed plenty of flashes throughout his rookie season, throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, he also was sacked a league-high 68 times and held the ball too long at times.
Case Keenum is a sneaky good signing for the Bears
Keenum has been a part of many different offenses throughout his career and understands what it takes to learn a new playbook, which is exactly what Williams, Tyson Bagent and Keenum will be doing as they navigate what head coach Ben Johnson is constructing in Chicago.
The veteran quarterback can also simply help Williams and Bagent on how to properly prepare throughout the week and share experiences that have helped him stay in the league for over a decade. Keenum also figures to be an ideal mentor for Austin Reed, who spent the 2024 season on the Bears' practice squad.
When Keenum was at his best, he helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2017. He completed 325 passes for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions that season and went 11-3 with the Vikings. Then he played a year in Denver and one season in Washington before having stops in Cleveland, Buffalo and finally, Houston.
As a rookie last season, Williams had Bagent, who had just one year of experience, to talk to in his quarterback room. Now, Keenum can be that source of information alongside quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and, of course, Johnson.
The biggest question with Keenum signing is who will the be the No. 2 quarterback behind Williams? In the last four seasons, Keenum has started four games. Bagent went 2-2 as a starter in 2023 when he filled in for an injured Justin Fields, but didn't start a game last season.