Case Keenum reportedly expected to start for Bears with Caleb Williams out and Tyson Bagent recovering from concussion

The Chicago Bears enter Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season already desperate for a win. After a standout showing in Week 1, the team's momentum was completely halted in Week 2, when it scored just three points and lost quarterback Caleb Williams to a hamstring injury in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings .

With Williams sidelined for Monday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles , all eyes were initially turned to backup Tyson Bagent , who came on in relief of Williams in Week 2, but couldn't complete the comeback.

Instead, it will be veteran Case Keenum who gets the start for the Bears on "Monday Night Football," per NFL Network.

While Bagent was the logical choice to step into the starting role after Williams' injury, the backup was dealing with a concussion that kept him from practicing early in the week. Bagent cleared the NFL's concussion protocol Saturday and was able to get in a full practice, opening the door for him to potentially draw the start against the Eagles.

But the Bears will instead rely on Keenum, who practiced and prepared all week to be the team's starter.

It will mark Keenum's first NFL start since the end of the 2023 season, when he received two late-season starts with the Houston Texans . He went 1-1 in those two games, tossing a touchdown against three interceptions.

Keenum remained with the Texans in 2024, but did not play for the team after sustaining a season-ending injury before the start of the regular season.

After hitting the free-agent market after that year, Keenum signed with the Bears to be a veteran backup and mentor for both Williams and Bagent. The veteran has rarely been active for game days, often serving as the No. 3 option on the depth chart.

That will change Monday, as Keenum will draw his first start in years against a tough Eagles defense. If he can play a mistake-free game, and pick up a win, Keenum could force the Bears to consider him over Bagent in Week 4 if Williams is still sidelined by his hamstring injury for that contest.