The Chicago Bears quarterback room is not lacking strong personalities, from players down to the coaching staff. One player who could one day cross from one side to the other is new Bears QB Case Keenum. Keenum is entering his 13th NFL season, and he said he was close to retirement before the Bears called.
Had they not, or better yet – when Keenum does call it quits – will he don the big headset?
Bears QB Case Keenum Gets Honest About Plans for Future
Case Keenum Already Coaching Bears QBs
Keenum spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans, but he missed the entire campaign with a foot injury.
He said what was supposed to be a “15-minute” meeting with Bears head coach Ben Johnson turned into an opportunity. In the room, Keenum has spent additional time with starting QB Caleb Williams, calling him a “sponge.” Johnson praised the veteran as an asset.
Keenum said he has thought about pursuing a career in coaching, but that it was not up to him.
“It has [crossed his mind],” Keenum told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. “We’ll see. You can ask my wife about that one.”
Coaching requires notoriously long hours, but Keenum is already handling some coaching-adjacent duties with Williams during the hours that league rules prevent Johnson and his staff from doing so.
Keenum praised Williams’ humility to ask him questions despite possessing “all-world talent.”
He also said that their extra work has been going over some of the finer points that can be glossed over during practice hours.
Case Keenum Battling for QB2
Keenum said he did not require any assurances about competing for the second quarterback job with the Bears before signing. Johnson said the role, currently held by 2023 undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent, and several others are up for grabs.
Bagent only attempted two passes in 2024. He completed both for 11 yards.
As a rookie in 2023, Bagent threw for 657 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, four of the five games he appeared in.
“I think Tyson’s going to play a long time in this league, I really do,” Keenum told reporters. “He is very athletic, he’s trained, and he is hungry, man. He’s one of the most well-prepared guys on that field every day. So, I’m very impressed with him.”
Not to be left out, Keenum said he related to second-year UDFA Austin Reed.
“I see a lot of myself in Austin,” Keenum said. “Young guy that just needs a shot and is hungry. Doesn’t get a ton of reps, but makes the most of him when he can.”
The Bears carried three quarterbacks in 2024, with Bagent backing up Williams and Reed on the practice squad. A similar setup in 2025, notably under a different coaching staff, would mean one of Bagent, Keenum, or Reed is unlikely to make it out of training camp with the Bears.