Case Keenum, who went undrafted in 2012, went 24-of-34 for 247 yards and 3 TDs in William’s absence during the Chicago Bears‘ last matchup. As William remains on the bench, the question is whether Case Keenum has done enough to keep the starting job, or if Tyson Bagent will reclaim the role he held coming out of training camp.
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“Um, I know lightning struck last week, and it has struck twice before; you have to think it sends the wrong message to a young man who just signed a couple-year deal with the Bears to be the backup. And it was a good deal,” said former Bears guard Kyle Long on the Up and Adams Show.
Kyle Long made his stance clear, urging the Bears’ head coach to turn back to Tyson Bagent when Chicago faces the New York Jets. He thinks that Johnson made the wrong call in giving the starting job to veteran Keenum over backup Bagent, who had earned the job.
“And I know all his humble pie talk about I’m from Shephard and uh, you know, Hohham, I’m just a young guy. He is a dang good football player, and he is revered and loved by everybody who has watched the Bears since Fields was on the team. When he comes in, he does a great job. I tip my cap and then some to Case Keenum. But if you’re asking me who the quarterback should be, it should be Tyson Bagent.”
Long’s argument is not just about one game. Bagent entered the 2026 season as Chicago’s No.2 quarterback behind Caleb Williams. However, when Williams suffered a hamstring injury against the Minnesota Vikings and Bagent entered the concussion protocol, Keenum was forced into action.
The 38-year-old led Chicago to a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet Long still believes Bagent’s role within the organization should matter.
“Look, Case Keenum did his job. He will wear medals on his chest. His uniform will reflect that. Tyson Bagent earned the backup spot.”
The former guard explained why he believes leaving Bagent behind would carry a different message for the young quarterback. Bagent signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears in August, reinforcing his role as the team’s primary backup.
But Keenum’s performance presens a difficult situation for Johnson. The veteran had not appeared in any regular-season games since 2023 before playing against Philadelphia. But he put up a good show, playing efficiently within Johnson’s offense and helping the Bears win.
Before the game, Ben Johnson noted that there was a reason Bagent finished training camp as the No. 2 quarterback.
This leaves Chicago with an unusual QB dilemma. The veteran has the momentum, while the younger backup has the established role. Long didn’t fail to mention what Keenum had achieved. He praised the latter while also maintaining that Bagent should get the opportunity.
Now with the Bears at 2-1 and Keenum coming off one of the strongest performances of his recent career, Jonshon’s decision carries both immediate football implications and consequences for the team’s QB room.