Bears Make Another Injury Move at QB Ahead of Training Camp

Turns out, the Chicago Bears will have all four of their quarterbacks healthy and available for the start of 2025 NFL training camp.

The Bears officially activated veteran quarterback Case Keenum from the active/non-football injury list Sunday after he passed his physical. The team had initially placed him on the NFI list one day earlier when he reported for the start of training camp.

Keenum signed a one-year contract with the Bears in April and is expected to have a role with the Bears during the 2025 season; though, it remains to be seen how much of a role he will claim for himself. The Bears sought him out to add a veteran presence to their young quarterback room who could assist in starter Caleb Williams’ development, but he will also have an opportunity to push Tyson Bagent for the backup job in camp.

The Bears will hold their first practice of training camp this Wednesday, July 23, one day after the rest of their veteran players are due to report to the team’s facility.

Will Case Keenum Usurp Tyson Bagent as Backup QB?

With Keenum cleared, the Bears won’t have to worry about delays in evaluating their backup quarterback options behind Williams during training camp. But just because Keenum is healthy does not mean he is the frontrunner to begin 2025 as their QB2.

Bagent — a 2023 UDFA signing — has held the Bears’ top backup job for the past two seasons, winning his role against challenges from other veterans, including P.J. Walker, Nathan Peterman and Brett Rypien. While he will need to prove himself in front of the Bears’ new coaches to keep his job, he should have the tools to defend his position, so long as he has put in the time to learn the offense and can demonstrate his command.

Fortunately, Keenum is still a valuable asset for the Bears even if he slots in as QB3. He has thrown for more than 15,000 yards and 79 touchdowns over his first 11 seasons in the NFL and made 66 career starts along the way. He also understands that his primary role with the Bears is to use his experience and knowledge to help the Bears mold their young quarterbacks, which applies as much to Bagent as it does to Williams.

How Much Time Will Jaylon Johnson & Others Need?

Keenum’s quick stint on the NFI list is objectively good news for the Bears, but they still have three others stuck on the list — with more likely to join them in the coming days.

The Bears placed starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson, running back Ian Wheeler and rookie wide receiver Jahdae Walker on the NFI list along with Keenum on Saturday. As with Keenum, all three are eligible for activation as soon as they pass their physicals, but the specifics of each player’s situation are unknown along with their return oulooks.

Johnson is the most significant name in the NFI-situated trio. He is one of the Bears’ top defensive players and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, making him an essential part of their defensive effort in 2025. As of now, though, there is little reason to panic about his status — at least not until he starts to miss practice with whatever is ailing him.

The Bears will also have their other veteran players trickling into Halas Hall between now and Tuesday’s veteran report date for training camp, during which time the team will likely have a few more players to add to the NFI or physically unable to perform (PUP) list.