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NFL Network: Case Keenum expected to start for Bears against Eagles
Chicago has ruled out Caleb Williams; Tyson Bagent is cleared, but the club has not formally named Monday night’s starter.
6 sources / Updated September 28, 2026
Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That is a reported expectation, not a starting lineup issued by Chicago. The Bears’ own game preview still lists Keenum and Tyson Bagent as the two possibilities, and the official game-day lineup remains the final check before kickoff.
Chicago ruled Caleb Williams out Saturday with a hamstring injury sustained against Minnesota. It will be the first regular-season game Williams has missed since the Bears selected him first overall in 2024. The choice of his replacement became complicated when Bagent suffered a concussion after entering the Vikings game. Bagent returned to practice Saturday, cleared the league’s concussion protocol Sunday and carries no injury designation for Monday. Clearing the protocol made him available, but did not settle who would take the first snap.
NFL Network’s report points to the week’s preparation as the reason Keenum is expected to get the call: Bagent took part in only one practice after missing the earlier game-plan installation. Keenum, who had been Chicago’s third quarterback, has not thrown a regular-season pass since his two starts with Houston in 2023. The league reports 66 career starts and a 62.3 percent completion rate for the 38-year-old veteran. Those experience numbers explain why Chicago had a viable alternative during the uncertain injury week; they do not predict how he will perform against Philadelphia.
The Eagles arrive 2-0 and the Bears are 1-1 after last week’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota. Bears coach Ben Johnson now faces a nationally televised game without the quarterback who started every game of his Chicago tenure to date. Whether Johnson adjusts the offense toward the ground game or a shorter passing menu will become visible once the game begins; neither is an announced plan.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central at Soldier Field. The next decisive update is Chicago’s official inactives and starter confirmation. Until then, Keenum is the reported choice, while Bagent is cleared and available.