Veteran QB Case Keenum keeping up with Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent on field -- and on TikTok
The Bears have yet to settle on who will be quarterback Caleb Williams’ backup. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum have both looked sharp in training camp, and while Bagent had made major strides the last two seasons, Keenum is far from ready to accept merely a mentor role.
Going into his 14th season at age 37, Keenum has the advantage of having a far bigger mental database than Bagent, but must prove he has the arm and agility for the position, too.
“I feel the fire of competition with whatever I'm doing,” Keenum said of the competition. “I compete with those guys, and I hope that that brings out the fire in them as well.”
While Keenum’s knowledge gives him an edge over Williams and Bagent in the meeting room, he’s scrambling to keep up with the twenty-somethings on the field, as well as on their phones.
“I love getting to hang out with guys who are really young and see what the latest TikTok things are or whatever,” Keenum said with a laugh. “I miss out on some of the [Instagram] Reels they send each other because I don’t have it on my phone, but they fill me in before meetings.”
Keenum was on injured reserve with the Texans last season. He hasn't played extensively since appearing in 10 games for the Commanders in 2019.
Bagent started four games as a rookie in 2023, but played just 13 snaps last season.