'This could be a special place' – Case Keenum explains why he chose to come to Chicago and work under Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams
When the Chicago Bears went out to sign veteran quarterback Case Keenum, it was pretty obvious that it was an intentional move by the organization.Keenum not only gave the Bears an experienced quarterback with years under his belt as a starter, it also gave the quarterback room a veteran mind to lean on.As for why […]
When the Chicago Bears went out to sign veteran quarterback Case Keenum, it was pretty obvious that it was an intentional move by the organization.
Keenum not only gave the Bears an experienced quarterback with years under his belt as a starter, it also gave the quarterback room a veteran mind to lean on.
As for why Keenum accepted the opportunity to make Chicago is new home, the decision was an easy one to make while weighing all his potential options as a free agent.
"I love playing football. I'm basically a big kid and I've never had to grow up," Keenum explained while talking with reporters on Wednesday. "But, to be honest, I was pretty close to being done after last year and being hurt…"
"The Bears called and I came up here to meet with [head coach Ben Johnson]. It was supposed to be a 15-minute meeting and a couple hours later I'm like, this could be a special place."
And so, Keenum signed on for his 12 NFL season with his eighth different organization for the 2025 season. Having a guy like this in the building is going to be huge for everyone involved.
"Case has been phenomenal," Johnson said on Wednesday. "I haven't been with him in the past but he came highly recommended from a number of people that I trust. He's got skins on the wall, he's been to playoff games, he's won playoff games, he's done it at a high level, he's been the No. 2 quarterback at a number of different places as well. His experience level is off the charts."
One of those trusted voices was likely Johnson's former quarterback in Jared Goff. Keenum served as Goff's backup during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams along with mentoring other young stars in Josh Allen and C.J. Stroud.
Everywhere he's been, everyone has talked highly about the impact he has had, which makes him the perfect guy to have alongside Caleb Williams.
That's especially critical right now in the offseason when coaches are restricted some spending so much time with the players. Keenum is able to stay involved and answer any questions Williams, and the other QBs, might have.
This really was the perfect opportunity for Keenum and the Bears to see work out in such a collaborative way, and it'll only continue going into the season.
The Bears seem to be taking full advantage of a sneaky offseason move and it’s going to pay off in a big way for QB Caleb Williams
It’s already been worth the investment.
