The Chicago Bears are adding veteran experience to the quarterback room.
The team is expected to sign quarterback Case Keenum to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to an ESPN report Thursday.
The move will add an experienced voice for starting quarterback Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent. Keenum, 37, spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans as a mentor for young QB C.J. Stroud.
The Bears will be Keenum’s eighth NFL franchise since entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2012. He has appeared in 80 games, including 66 starts. Keenum started two games for the Texans in 2023 but primarily spent his time as the third-string QB behind Stroud and backup Davis Mills.
It’s a notable addition to coach Ben Johnson’s roster. A year ago, the Bears worked hard to surround Williams with veteran coaches who had worked with the quarterback position. The players on the roster, however, were relatively inexperienced.
Bagent, in his second year, was the primary backup in 2024. The only other QB with the team was practice squad player Austin Reed, who was an undrafted rookie. Bagent was the most experienced NFL quarterback of the trio.
Keenum, on the other hand, has been playing in the NFL since before any of those three was in high school. In Houston, he was a mentor for Stroud, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft who went on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
The Bears could have a similar role in mind for Keenum. Adding the veteran will give Williams someone to lean on in the locker room.
This offseason has been all about providing Williams the right situation for growth. That started with the hiring of Johnson. In March, the Bears significantly bolstered the offensive line, adding veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson plus veteran center Drew Dalman. They also spent significant resources reinforcing the defensive line.
The goal is for all of those moves to make life easier for Williams. As for Keenum, the Bears hope he will make an impact of a different sort for last year’s No. 1 pick.
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