Bears news: Why playing in front of his kids 'means everything' for Case Keenum

Case Keenum has produced quite the NFL journeyman career. But Keenum feels ready to "run through a brick wall " for the Chicago Bears and head coach Ben Johnson . Yet taking on the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday took on a big family meaning for Keenum.

ESPN Monday Night Football sideline reporter Laura Rutledge reminded Keenum it's been 1,009 days since he last played an NFL game. But here's why this MNF takes on a different magnitude.

He got to play in front of his children for the first time ever.

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"It means everything," Keenum said. "It's incredible because we always say 'Keenum's can do hard things.' So we'll do some hard things tonight. And hopefully I can show them tonight how it's done."

Keenum is now a ruffled 38-year-old quarterback. But he arrived to QB1 duties in emergency.

Chicago's franchise QB Caleb Williams is out with his NFL Injury, which is a grade two hamstring strain. Yet the Bears didn't have top backup Tyson Bagent available either, who landed in concussion protocol. Hence how Keenum rose as the next best option available for the reigning NFC North champions.

But the QB excited the fans and his own kids early. He found Luther Burden for an eight-yard touchdown pass that became the first points of the evening, handing the Bears a 7-0 lead.

Chicago is officially the eighth different NFL stop for the NCAA's all-time passing yards, touchdowns and completions leader. He starred at the University of Houston before the Cougars landed in the Big 12 Conference.