West Texas Native Leads Chicago in Dominant Win over Philadelphia

CHICAGO, IL — In his first start in over 1,000 days, Abilene native Case Keenum led the Chicago Bears to a complete, dominant victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

Keenum threw two touchdown passes in his first start in nearly three years, and the Bears shut down Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in a 27-7 victory Monday night.

Starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and added a rushing touchdown as Chicago improved to 2-1.

Keenum, a West Texas native who starred at Wylie High School in Abilene, scored on a 1-yard run with 7:19 remaining, capping a 13-play drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock and extended Chicago's lead to 27-7. It was his first rushing touchdown since 2019.

“He knows where everyone is supposed to be on every single play and so he is really quick to recognize coverage,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “He knows why we’re calling the play and 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 playing that position in this league.”

It was Keenum's first NFL action since he started for Houston in a 36-22 loss to Cleveland on Dec. 24, 2023.

Williams was sidelined with a right hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent served as Keenum's backup after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol Sunday.

“To get a shot again like this? Yeah, you dream of it,” Keenum said. “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.”

Before beginning his college and professional career, Keenum played quarterback at Wylie High School in Abilene.

He passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns during his high school career while adding 2,000 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. Keenum made 42 starts at quarterback and compiled a 31-11 record.

In 2004, Keenum led Wylie on the game-winning drive in a 17-14 victory over Cuero in the Texas Class 3A Division I state championship game.

Kalif Raymond caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown as the Bears bounced back from a 9-3 loss to Minnesota.

Philadelphia fell to 2-1 after committing three turnovers and failing to force a takeaway for the third consecutive game.

Hurts completed 16 of 25 passes for 153 yards. Saquon Barkley rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries.

“I think we all have to own that loss right there,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I don’t think anybody coached well. I don’t think anyone played well. It was a true team loss. And when it’s a true team loss, you know I have to look at myself first.”

Keenum capped Chicago's opening drive with an 8-yard shovel pass to Luther Burden for a touchdown. He later connected with a wide-open Raymond for a 41-yard touchdown in the second half.

Philadelphia had an opportunity to answer after falling behind 7-0.

Hurts drove the Eagles deep into Chicago territory in the second quarter before taking a late hit from linebacker D'Marco Jackson along the sideline. Hurts left the field to be evaluated for a concussion.

Backup Andy Dalton entered and was intercepted by rookie Dillon Thieneman in the back of the end zone with 6:14 remaining in the half.

Hurts returned and scored on a quarterback sneak as time expired in the first half, but Chicago controlled the final two quarters.

Philadelphia gained just 62 of its 248 total yards in the second half.

Trailing 20-7, Philadelphia lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1 at its own 49-yard line with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Hurts attempted to draw Chicago offside, but the Eagles took a delay-of-game penalty and punted.

Hurts was later intercepted by T.J. Edwards on fourth-and-5 from the Chicago 46 in the final minute of the third quarter.

Keenum helped put the game away with his fourth-quarter touchdown drive. On fourth-and-2 from the Philadelphia 39, he drew Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo offside to extend the possession.

Chicago finished with 24 first downs and 128 rushing yards.

Philadelphia will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Chicago will host the New York Jets.