Case Keenum knows the exact reason the Chicago Bears signed him. The veteran quarterback has been in this position multiple times in his career. They view him as a smart, experienced player who can serve as a strong backup and be a mentor and sounding board for a young high draft pick. Keenum already served that role in Cleveland (Baker Mayfield), Buffalo (Josh Allen), and Houston (C.J. Stroud). His next challenge was serving that purpose for Caleb Williams in Chicago.
The Bears initially had that plan last year when they signed Brett Rypien. Unfortunately, their attempts to stash him on the practice squad were ruined when Minnesota signed him instead. Rather than try to find somebody else, they rode it out with Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed. Neither proved helpful to Williams. Head coach Ben Johnson made sure to correct that mistake by signing Keenum. As first impressions go, the 37-year-old admitted Williams is nothing like the person he expected.
“He’s just a sponge. For being an all-world talent, a guy who has, since high school, been the best player on any field anywhere he has ever stepped on, to be humble enough to ask me questions and watch and learn has been really refreshing to see.”
Case Keenum pokes another hole in the Williams-is-lazy balloon.
The former #1 overall pick has every right to feel at least a little entitled. He’s been the big man on campus everywhere he’s been since high school. One could excuse him for having an ego and not feeling like he needs a mentor. Instead, he welcomed what the Bears were trying to do for him. Case Keenum has been around the game for a long time, playing in all sorts of different offenses. He started in playoff games, won playoff games, and rubbed shoulders with the NFL’s best. Why wouldn’t you ask that guy as many questions as possible? Tom Brady did it with Drew Bledsoe. Aaron Rodgers probably did it with Brett Favre. Mayfield, Allen, and Stroud did it with Keenum. The results for them certainly improved. Williams isn’t stupid. If you have a resource, use it.
