Case Keenum Shocks the Bears World: Is There a Quarterback Controversy in Chicago?

 

Three weeks into the season, I honestly don't know what to say about the Chicago Bears.

For three straight weeks, this team has given me something completely different to talk about. Week one featured an offense that put up 59 points. Week two was a completely different story, with Caleb Williams getting injured and the Bears struggling against Minnesota. Then came Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.

And somehow, the Bears walked away with a 27–7 victory.

I'm still speechless.

The biggest story coming out of the game has to be Case Keenum. The Bears' third-string quarterback stepped into a situation that nobody expected him to be in and played an outstanding game. Keenum finished 24-of-34 for 247 yards, threw two touchdown passes, and even ran for a touchdown, becoming the oldest quarterback in Bears history to run for a score.

That's the kind of performance that changes the conversation.

Before the game, I was questioning why Tyson Bagent wasn't starting. Bagent had returned from concussion protocol but had only one day of practice. Instead, the Bears went with their number-three quarterback.

And Case Keenum responded by playing some damn good football.

Is There Suddenly a Quarterback Controversy?

I'm not saying the Bears should automatically replace anybody.

Tyson Bagent is the team's number-two quarterback for a reason. The Bears believed enough in him to give him that role, and other teams have reportedly shown interest in him. But after watching Case Keenum operate the offense against Philadelphia, I think it's fair to have the conversation.

Keenum showed that you don't necessarily need to live on the deep ball to move the football.

I've talked about this before: sometimes you don't need the home run. You need singles and doubles.

Take the four-yard completion. Then the six-yard completion. Then seven. Then five. Before you know it, you're moving the chains, eating clock and putting yourself into scoring position.

That's the type of football I think can work in Ben Johnson's offense.

Caleb Williams has tremendous ability to make big plays, but I also think there's value in learning when to take what the defense gives you. You don't have to hit the home run every time you step to the plate.

Sometimes you just need to make contact.

The Case Keenum Story Was Pretty Special

There was another element to this game that I couldn't ignore.

Keenum is a career journeyman who has spent years working his way through the NFL. Now he's 38 years old, and he suddenly gets an opportunity to start for the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

His kids reportedly had never seen him play in person.

That makes the moment even more special.

Then you add in the fact that he's apparently had conversations about potentially moving into coaching after his playing career. Suddenly, the entire situation feels like one of those moments where everything lines up at exactly the right time.

And he took advantage of it.

The Bears Had a Complete Game

This wasn't just about Case Keenum.

I thought the Bears played a well-balanced football game.

DeAndre Swift had 84 yards. Khalif Raymond caught six passes for 90 yards. Luther Burden III had seven receptions for 61 yards. The defense held Philadelphia to seven points and came up with pressure when it mattered.

That's what stood out to me.

For once, I wasn't sitting in front of the television wanting to throw my phone through the screen.

I wasn't ranting.

I wasn't walking away from the game pissed off.

I've matured.

Well... at least a little bit.

But Injuries Still Piss Me Off

Of course, this wouldn't be an episode of The Shawn Mackey Show without getting into the things that piss me off.

And this week, it's NFL injuries.

The Tyson Bagent situation really made me think about how teams prepare their backup quarterbacks.

If the backup is one play away from taking over the offense, why not give that quarterback more first-team reps during practice?

I'm not pretending to know exactly how an NFL practice should be structured. I can only speak from my experience as a former high school coach. But I always believed that backups needed meaningful reps with the first team because you never know when you're going to need them.

And suddenly, the Bears needed their backup.

Then they needed their third-string quarterback.

And Case Keenum delivered.

My Champs and Chumps

This week, Case Keenum is obviously a champ.

DeAndre Swift is a champ.

Khalif Raymond is a champ.

The defense gets a champ designation from me as well.

There weren't many chumps this week.

Sam Rouse made a mistake on a potential recovery that turned into a touchback, and Jalen Johnson had a play where he got burned, although he later made a nice play on a screen. I also had some questions about the officiating and replay decisions.

But overall?

The Bears played good football.

Really good football.

I'm Going to Own My Prediction

One of the most important parts of this episode for me is admitting when I was wrong.

Before the game, I didn't have very high expectations for Case Keenum.

I questioned the decision to start him over Tyson Bagent.

I didn't think it was going to work.

And then Keenum went out there and proved me wrong.

I have to own that.

As a Bears fan, I should always have hope. Sometimes the circumstances make it difficult, but that's part of being a fan.

The Bears are 2–1.

Caleb Williams is dealing with an injury.

Tyson Bagent is back.

Case Keenum just played one of the most surprising games of the early season.

And now the Bears have a quarterback conversation that I don't think many of us expected to be having.

That's why I'm still speechless.

And that's exactly why I had to talk about it on this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show.