Case Keenum dives in smiling, then gives God the glory after Bears’ 27-7 win

Case Keenum dove into the end zone with a big smile.

The third-and-goal quarterback sneak sealed the Chicago Bears’ 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on Monday night, Sept. 28, 2026, and gave him his first rushing touchdown since 2019.

It was his first start since Week 16 of the 2023 season. The 38-year-old, in his 15th NFL season after going undrafted out of Houston in 2012, got the nod with starter Caleb Williams out with a hamstring injury from Week 2 against the Vikings and backup Tyson Bagent having just cleared concussion protocol.

Before kickoff, pointing to his kids on the field, he told ESPN, "Whatever happens today, I'm going to give God the glory. And hopefully it makes those kids proud."

Keenum led an opening 11-play, 66-yard touchdown drive capped by an 8-yard shovel pass to Luther Burden III, then hit Kalif Raymond for a 41-yard touchdown under pressure in the third quarter that made it 20-7. He finished 24-of-34 for 247 yards, two passing touchdowns and zero interceptions, took zero sacks, and helped the Bears outgain the Eagles 375-248 while holding the ball for 36:53. Raymond had six catches for 90 yards, Burden seven for 61, Rome Odunze three for 44, and Colston Loveland 31 receiving yards.

"My word of the week was trust. Trust my preparation. Trust my abilities. Trust my feet. Trust my eyes. Trust my own line. Trust the play call. Trust the play design. I just trusted it," Keenum said.

Ben Johnson said, "He knows where everybody is supposed to be on every single play. So, he's really quick to recognize coverage, he knows why we're calling the play, what we're looking for, and if we're not getting that he's accelerating through it really quickly. That's what you get when you're 15-plus years in this league playing this position."

"That's why I'm still here, still doing this, why I'm still getting up when I get knocked down. I've been getting knocked down my whole career. I just keep getting up, keep coming to work, keep bouncing back," Keenum said. Joe Thuney called him "Just an absolute pro. Prepares every day. You saw it tonight. I'm so proud of him, so happy for him."

Keenum celebrated on the field with his two children, then ran to the tunnel throwing his towel and hat into the stands.

"To do it on Monday Night Football after you thought you weren't ever going to play again multiple times, golly. This is special, it's really special," he said. "All glory to God. I'm not here without Him. He's put me here. He's made me for this. I'm so thankful for Him."

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