Case Keenum dives for a late score in his first start in 1,009 days

Case Keenum dove in for a one-yard touchdown with 7:19 left, capping a 13-play drive that lasted over eight minutes and sealed Chicago’s 27-7 win over Philadelphia at Soldier Field.

It was his first rushing touchdown since 2019 and his first start in 1,009 days. At 38 years and 223 days he became the oldest player in Bears history with a rushing score and the oldest Bears quarterback to throw for 200 yards in a game.

He finished 24 of 34 for 247 yards and two touchdown passes on Monday night. His previous start had been a Christmas Eve 2023 loss with Houston.

Bears coach Ben Johnson credited the command that comes with time. "He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognize coverage," Johnson said. Experience showed in the details. "That's what you get when you're 15-plus years playing that position in this league."

Keenum had waited for the chance. "To get a shot again like this? Yeah, you dream of it," he said. The same approach had carried him through every setback. "That's why I'm still here doing this when I get knocked down. I got knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, coming to work, just keep bouncing back."

Kalif Raymond saw the joy all week and called him "Poised, calm and honestly a guy who was having a lot of fun." The tone never changed. "The whole week he was like, you guys having fun, because I am. That's the way he was. He loves the game."

After the final whistle Keenum walked back onto the field and dropped down as his daughter Cadence ran into his arms for a long embrace. "Was that so much fun?" he asked her. He had her show off her Bears-patterned pants for the cameras. When Scott Van Pelt asked whether she would rather watch the game or Bluey, Cadence answered "The game" without hesitation.

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