Chicago Bears fans probably didn't expect there to be much of a quarterback competition in training camp. Even when the team managed to coax Case Keenum out of retirement, it seemed like he'd be in more of a mentor role than a genuine threat to take Tyson Bagent's job. But after showing out in training camp and his first preseason game, Keenum could very well be the QB2 by Week 1.
But now, a potential injury could throw a wrench in that QB2 battle just a few days out from the Bears' Preseason Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
Bears QB Case Keenum just left practice, headed inside with team staff.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 14, 2025
Bears QB Case Keenum Leaves Practice Early on Thursday
Case Keenum made an early exit from Bears practice on Thursday, heading inside to the locker room with team staff. It's unclear why he's been forced to exit, but he didn't get a chance for any 11-on-11 reps, reportedly only participating in stretches and individual drills. This has Austin Reed getting the third-team reps behind Tyson Bagent.
That's also how the depth chart would line up on Sunday if Keenum can't play, though missing a few preseason live game reps wouldn't necessarily doom him in the position battle.
We'll have a better idea of what's going on here after practice, as this is sure to be a hot topic for questions that head coach Ben Johnson will be asked, and for the time being it's certainly a situation to monitor.
Fans, of course, will always hope that their backup quarterback remains irrelevant and never has to play a snap. But the reality of the NFL is that there are very few players, even with rules designed to protect QBs, who will stay healthy through 100% of the season's snaps. And when one or two wins can make or break a team's playoff hopes, your backup needs to be able to take the reins and steer in the right direction when he's called upon.
The other role a backup can play, no matter how invisibly, is that of mentor. Obviously that's something Bagent doesn't offer for Caleb Williams, and a unique edge that Keenum holds in the potential QB2 battle.
But as a 37-year-old already considering retirement, if this proves to be even a moderately serious injury, Keenum could be done for, leaving Bagent as the top backup and saving Austin Reed's roster spot.