Case Keenum Age: How a 38-Year-Old Third-String QB Took Over Monday Night

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Case Keenum was born in Brownwood, Texas, on February 17, 1988, making him 38 years old. That number has been with him like a coat tag for the majority of this season. It ceased to matter on Monday nite at Soldier Field.

The Bears were in a difficult situation. Due to a hamstring injury, Caleb Williams was sidelined for three to four weeks. The backup, Tyson Bagent, had only managed one practice day due to a concussion. The third-string player, who hadn’t played a regular-season snap since 2023, was left. Nobody was feeling giving, as Chicago had just returned from a crushing defeat to the Vikings.

After that, they defeated the Eagles 27–7. Keenum ran one in himself and finished 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. His passing score was higher than 110. That’s a respectable response for a quarterback who was questioned about his birth certificate for the majority of the week.

In the NFL, age is a peculiar concept. By the time Keenum’s peers are coaching youth leagues, quarterbacks should be finished, but here he is in his fifteenth season. It’s difficult to ignore how frequently teams have dismissed him and called him back. Despite setting NCAA records at Houston, where he threw for 19,217 career yards, he was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft. Those marks remain intact. A practice squad, a waiver claim, and a lengthy list of jerseys followed.

The peak is remembered by everyone who watched the Vikings in 2017. In place of an injured Sam Bradford, Keenum guided Minnesota to 13 victories and the Minneapolis Miracle, which featured Stefon Diggs’ last-second touchdown. It seemed like a turning point in my career. As it happened, it was just one chapter in a very lengthy book.

He acknowledged feeling anxious before the game on Monday. He claimed that he would have to jump out of airplanes to experience the same rush if he ever stopped feeling them. That has a certain honesty to it. Many veterans would prefer to sound unbreakable. Keenum sounded like a man who still enjoys his work.

His teammates appeared to have faith in him as well. Rome Odunze stated that since the receivers receive passes from everyone during the offseason, chemistry wasn’t an issue. The offense didn’t appear to be a stopgap because of that kind of quiet preparation, which seldom makes headlines.

However, it is worthwhile to maintain moderation. Keenum’s stats over 81 games are those of a reliable journeyman rather than a star, and one strong game against one defense doesn’t change a career. Williams’ return will be desired by the Bears, and rightfully so. However, as this develops, it seems possible that the third-string position in football is the most underappreciated. When the phone rings, someone needs to be prepared.

Keenum was prepared. It’s unclear if the Bears will need him again in the coming weeks, but Monday nite indicates they won’t be in a panic if they do. At 38, he appears to have come to terms with the fact that his best work frequently shows up out of the blue.