Football is a team sport, but most of the time, the team with the best quarterback has the best chance of winning. There's a reason that it's considered the most important position in sports, and that hasn't changed one bit regardless of the game's evolution.
That's why, after not having a true franchise quarterback for most of its history, the Bears didn't stop with just drafting Caleb Williams. They built an ecosystem where he could thrive, learn from veterans, and also have a reliable backup in case something happened.
Everyone already knew Tyson Bagent could ball. But since he was out on Monday night as well, the Bears had to turn to their third-stringer. Notably, not many third-string quarterbacks could do what Case Keenum just did.
The Chicago Bears have the best quarterback room in football
Time and time again, we've seen promising seasons flushed down the drain when the quarterback gets hurt. The Bears have not one but two guys who can pad up, take the field, and command the offense with ease.
Of course, some might say that they're a byproduct of Ben Johnson's system, and that's fair to a degree. His offense is too quarterback-friendly, but as much credit as he deserves, that doesn't make Caleb Williams any less important to the operation.
The Bears could've traded Bagent to the highest bidder months ago. There's always a market for high-end backups/low-end starters, and they probably could've gotten strong value in return for his services. Instead, they chose to keep him, knowing they might be an injury away from crisis.
As for Keenum, he arrived in the same offseason they signed Coach Johnson. He wasn't just there as an emergency place-holder, but also as a mentor, a journeyman who had been there, done that, and seen every type of coverage. Having him sit next to Williams in meetings and film sessions is priceless, and he's embraced that mentorship role by taking the former No. 1 pick under his wing.
Some may argue that carrying three quarterbacks on the roster is a disservice when you have a player like Williams. Others may say that they could've used that roster spot or money to address other areas of need, and both would be right.
That said, the Bears clearly have a vision for the type of roster they're trying to build. They're also making sure that Williams has absolutely everything he needs to thrive, and that doesn't only mean the guys who are with him out there on the field.
Watching Case Keenum operate in the offense was a thing of beauty. The cadence, the pre-snap operation, and the ability to dissect coverage look like a lost art in today's game. That's the type of knowledge he's passing to Williams. The return on this investment will go way beyond Monday's win.
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