The Chicago Bears delivered one of their most complete performances of the young 2026 season Monday night, dominating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 at Soldier Field and improving to 2-1.
With Caleb Williams sidelined and Tyson Bagent unavailable, veteran Case Keenum stepped into the spotlight and delivered exactly what Chicago needed. Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception, while also adding a rushing touchdown.
Keenum Answers the Call
The biggest question entering the game was whether Chicago’s offense could function without Williams.
Keenum erased much of that concern early.
He directed an opening touchdown drive that ended with a short scoring pass to rookie Luther Burden III, then continued to make smart decisions throughout the night. His 41-yard touchdown connection with Kalif Raymond in the third quarter gave Chicago a 20-7 advantage and effectively shifted momentum permanently toward the Bears.
Keenum finished the night with three total touchdowns, including a one-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter.
Defense Creates the Difference
Chicago’s defense was just as important as Keenum’s performance.
The Bears forced three turnovers and consistently made Philadelphia work for every offensive possession. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman came up with an interception in the end zone, while linebacker T.J. Edwards picked off Jalen Hurts in the second half.
Philadelphia finished with only 248 total yards and went through a particularly rough stretch after halftime, producing just seven yards across three third-quarter possessions.
Offense Controls the Clock
Chicago also won the battle of possession, holding the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
D’Andre Swift provided the foundation on the ground with 84 rushing yards on 20 carries, while Raymond finished with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Burden added seven receptions for 61 yards and the Bears’ opening touchdown.
The Bears ran 69 offensive plays compared with Philadelphia’s 47, allowing Chicago to repeatedly put pressure on an Eagles defense that struggled to get off the field.
Eagles Never Found Their Rhythm
Philadelphia managed only one touchdown, a one-yard quarterback sneak by Hurts just before halftime.
The Eagles also committed three turnovers and were unable to generate the sustained offense necessary to challenge Chicago after the break. Hurts finished 16-of-25 for 153 yards with an interception while adding 25 rushing yards and the team’s lone touchdown.
Final Takeaway
This was more than simply a backup quarterback winning a game.
The Bears played complementary football from start to finish — efficient quarterback play, a productive rushing attack, opportunistic defense and strong clock management. The victory moved Chicago to 2-1, while Philadelphia fell to 2-1.
For the Bears, the win provides another important piece of evidence that this team can find different ways to win, even when its starting quarterback is unavailable.
And with a matchup against the New York Jets coming next, Chicago now has an opportunity to build on its Monday-night statement.
