By Salem Chicago News Staff
Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised veteran quarterback Case Keenum’s professionalism Friday as the 14-year NFL journeyman prepared for a possible start Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With starting quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) and backup Tyson Bagent (concussion) still unable to practice, Keenum led the No. 1 offense in Friday’s workout at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.
“He’s obviously done it a really long time and at a high level, and he’s been through kind of every role you can be in in a quarterback room, from undrafted to a franchise guy to a backup to an up-and-down starter,” Taylor said. “I think all those lessons have really molded him into the quarterback he is today.”
Keenum, 38, would make the 67th start of his career if Williams and Bagent cannot play. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012, he has appeared in 80 games for eight franchises, throwing for 15,175 yards with 79 touchdowns, 51 interceptions and an 84.6 passer rating.
He has not played in an NFL regular-season game since 2023, when he made two starts for the Cleveland Browns. In three preseason games this summer, Keenum completed 25 of 40 passes for 354 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 107.7 passer rating.
Taylor noted that he and Keenum share a unique bond. Both celebrated their 38th birthdays earlier this year.
“Every day he goes out to practice … I haven’t practiced in 15 years, and I don’t know that I could get up and do that every single day,” Taylor said. “It’s just a cool story in terms of football stories and a guy that’s stuck with it for a long time.”
Taylor expressed confidence that Keenum would be ready if called upon.
“If his opportunity comes [Monday night], I don’t think anybody has any doubt he’ll be ready for the moment,” Taylor said.
If Keenum starts against the Eagles, undrafted rookie Miller Moss would likely serve as the backup. The emergency third quarterback would be a non-quarterback who has played the position at some point in his career.
Taylor was asked whether running back Roschon Johnson, a star high school quarterback who moved to running back at Texas, could fill that role.
“That’s a possibility,” Taylor said. “We have a couple different guys that would be a possibility in that role if that comes down to it.”
Williams has started all 36 games since being selected by the Bears with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. Taylor said the young quarterback could benefit from watching a veteran operate in a game setting even if he cannot play.
“I think there’s a lot of value to sit and watch and see how other people run things, see how the flow of the game goes when you’re as emotionally involved as being in the huddle every single day,” Taylor said.
The Bears enter Monday’s prime-time contest in Week 4 of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT at Soldier Field.
