Bears’ 38-year-old backup Case Keenum rolls back the years to ground Eagles

Case Keenum passed for two touchdowns in his first start in almost three years, and the Chicago Bears shut down Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles for a 27-7 victory on Monday night.

Stepping in for Caleb Williams, Keenum was 24 for 34 for 247 yards. He also scored his first rushing touchdown since 2019 on a one-yard plunge with 7:19 left, capping a 13-play drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock.

It was the 38-year-old’s first action since he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland on Christmas Eve 2023. Williams was sidelined by a right hamstring injury for Monday’s game, and Tyson Bagent backed up Keenum after he cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Sunday.

“I really don’t have any words, there’s so much emotion,” Keenum said after the game. “Man, these guys I play with in this locker room are incredible … It was so much fun … Just an incredible opportunity, I love this city. This Texas boy loves Chicago. It’s a cool spot.”

Keenum played Monday’s game with his children in the stands, something he said was a special experience.

“We kept it exciting for them, I’m going to have fun watching the game with them tomorrow on the couch, or probably just Bluey,” said Keenum. “It’s so special, I love my family.”

Kalif Raymond had six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown as Chicago (2-1) bounced back after an ugly 9-3 loss to Minnesota in Week 2.

Philadelphia (2-1) turned the ball over three times and failed to record a takeaway for the third consecutive game to begin the season. Hurts was 16 for 25 for 153 yards with an interception, and Saquon Barkley rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries.

Keenum capped Chicago’s first drive with a shovel pass to Luther Burden for an eight-yard touchdown, and he connected with a wide-open Raymond on a 41-yard TD in the second half.

Trailing 7-0, Hurts drove Philadelphia deep into Chicago territory in the second quarter before he absorbed a late hit by linebacker D’Marco Jackson along the sideline. Hurts was pulled off the field to be checked for a concussion, and backup Andy Dalton was intercepted by rookie Dillon Thieneman in the back of the end zone.

Hurts returned and scored on a quarterback sneak as time expired in the first half, but Chicago controlled the final two periods as they closed out their victory.

The Bears are Keenum’s eighth NFL franchise, and he is in his 14th season in the league.