Latest news with #CaseKeenum
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst reveals crucial battles defining Bears' 53-man roster
Chicago Bears camp battles are shaping the projected 53-man roster as the team prepares for its first padded training camp practice on Monday. As the players enjoy an off day today, let's look at some key position battles Chicago Sun-Times analyst Patrick Finley has projected. Here, we will focus specifically on quarterback, running back and wide receiver. According to Finley, the Bears are expected to carry three players at quarterback: starter Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent and veteran Case Keenum. The competition will be for the No. 2 spot. Finley noted, "The battle for the No. 2 job between Bagent and Keenum, who have rotated during camp. Bagent has believers in the Bears' front office, and the Bears are sure to keep Keenum to help guide Williams." Per Finley, the running back group could see an uncommon roster decision if rookie draft pick Kyle Monangai's strong camp convinces the team to carry four running backs. "With a strong training camp, can Monangai coax the Bears into keeping four running backs? Swift is the starter, Johnson the short yardage back, and Homer the special teams ace," Finley wrote. "Ben Johnson's Lions kept four running backs last season." The wide receiver battle centers on the kickoff return job, according to Finley. He said, "Who returns kickoffs? Devin Duvernay and Tyler Scott are fighting for the job, with the winner perhaps cementing their roster spot. The new kickoff rules mean that a successful kick return unit could yield big results." In the weeks ahead, Ben Johnson and Co. will have a clearer view of who can secure a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Some surprises are expected as the Bears look to begin a new era under their new head coach.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaylon Johnson lands on the Bears' active/non-football injury list
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson will begin training camp on the active/non-football injury list, the team announced. He is one of four players to get that designation, though he, backup quarterback Case Keenum, running back Ian Wheeler and wide receiver Jahdae Walker can return once they pass their physical. The Bears, who had rookies and quarterbacks report to Halas Hall on Saturday, will hold their first practice Wednesday. Johnson earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl last season when he made two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble. Johnson's injury is undisclosed. He was present for much of the team's offseason program Wheeler is still rehabbing after tearing an ACL in the 2024 preseason, and Keenum spent last season on the Texans' injured reserve list after injuring his foot in the preseason. Walker is an undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M.
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chicago Bears activate Case Keenum off Non-Football Injury list
The Chicago Bears have activated quarterback Case Keenum off the Non-Football Injury list ahead of training camp. Keenum landed on the NFI list on Saturday. The NFI list is used for players who are injured away from team activities. They must be removed from the list before they're allowed to practice. The Bears will hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday. Rookies, quarterbacks and injured players reported on Saturday with veterans set to report on Tuesday. Keenum was signed to a one-year contract this offseason to serve as a mentor for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. But he'll also battle Tyson Bagent for the backup quarterback job. During the offseason program, Keenum took snaps with the second-team offense, indicating he might have the upper hand in the competition right now. Notable players who remain on the NFI list before training camp: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, wide receiver Jahdae Walker and running back Ian Wheeler. We'll see if they're ready ahead of Wednesday's first practice. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears place Jaylon Johnson, 3 others on NFI list to open training camp
The Chicago Bears have placed cornerback Jaylon Johnson, quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Jahdae Walker and running back Ian Wheeler on the Active/Non-Football Injury list to start training camp. More to come. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears place Jaylon Johnson, 3 others on NFI list to open training camp
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears 2025 training camp preview: Quarterbacks
Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it's time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest. We're unveiling our Bears 2025 training camp position previews, where we're breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group. Advertisement It starts at the most important position: Quarterback, where all eyes are on Caleb Williams as he enters his sophomore season with new head coach Ben Johnson leading the charge. Williams is poised for a breakout year following an impactful offseason that saw upgrades at head coach, offensive play caller, offensive line and even weapons. There's also a battle brewing for the backup job between Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent, which is something to watch. Let's take a look at the Bears' quarterbacks heading into 2025 training camp: Caleb Williams It's no secret that Caleb Williams had a rough rookie season as he dealt with two different head coaches, three offensive coordinators, a 10-game losing streak, being sacked a league-high 68 times and a 5-12 record in his first year in the NFL. Despite that, Williams had a respectable rookie season where he passed for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions while breaking franchise and league rookie records. Now, Williams in a much better situation in his sophomore season. Chicago prioritized building around Williams this offseason, which included the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, revamping the offensive line and adding even more weapons to the mix. While no one's expecting Williams to become an MVP in his first year with Johnson, the stage is set for Williams to have a breakout year in 2025. Advertisement Case Keenum While the Bears had Williams in place, they lacked a veteran presence in the quarterback room. That changed with the signing of journeyman quarterback Case Keenum, who played a key role in the development of Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the first two years of his career. In his 12-year career, Keenum has played for seven different teams and served both as a starter and backup, bringing plenty of knowledge to the table. His main purpose is to serve as a sounding board and mentor for Williams in his second season, and already been a massive help just during the offseason program. Keenum will also be competing for the backup job with incumbent Tyson Bagent, who's served as the backup QB since his rookie season. But with Keenum getting reps with the second-team offense throughout the offseason, it certainly seems like the QB2 job is Keenum's to lose. Tyson Bagent For the last two years, Tyson Bagent has been a mainstay as Chicago's backup quarterback. An undrafted free agent out of Division II Shepherd, Bagent shocked many when he defeated P.J. Walker for the backup job in what was Justin Fields' final season with the Bears. In four starts, in place of an injured Fields, Bagent threw for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. Bagent appeared in four games for Chicago last season, completing 2-of-2 passes for 11 yards -- as Williams started all 17 contests. While Bagent has been the backup for the past two seasons, that future isn't safe following the addition of Case Keenum, who is not only contending for the QB2 role but also appears to be the favorite to win the job. Bagent needs a big training camp and preseason to try and make this decision as difficult as possible on the Bears -- roll with Williams and Keenum or carry three QBs. Advertisement Austin Reed The Bears signed Austin Reed as an undrafted rookie free agent last offseason, where he contended for the QB3 role. Reed had a solid preseason, throwing for 123 yards and a touchdown in relief as QB3, sometimes QB4, which was enough to earn him a spot on the practice squad. Reed spent the entire 2024 season on the practice squad, and he was signed to a reserve/future deal in January. While Reed won't be competing for any significant role this summer, he'll be looking to impress new head coach Ben Johnson enough to warrant a spot back on the practice squad. Keenum and Bagent will be competing for the backup role, which means one or both will make the 53-man roster. And if Bagent doesn't, another team would likely swoop in and nab him, which bodes well for Reed's chances to make the practice squad. Big Question: How will Caleb Williams progress under Ben Johnson? X This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 2025 training camp preview: Quarterbacks
