Veteran Case Keenum is set to start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, according to a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer. The Week 3 clash at Soldier Field kicks off at 8:15pm ET on Monday (10:15am AEST Tuesday), with Australians Jordan Mailata and Tory Taylor on opposite sides for the second straight season.
Keenum gets the call
Caleb Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Tyson Bagent cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol on Sunday but is expected to serve as the backup, Eagles Wire reported via Yahoo Sports, citing Glazer. The report said the Bears opted against starting Bagent because his limited practice time kept him from spending enough time in this week’s game plan.
The 38-year-old Keenum has not started a regular-season game since 2023, when he made consecutive starts for the Houston Texans. He has 66 career starts, including two in the postseason, according to ESPN.
“I feel very prepared,” Keenum told ESPN last week. “It’s what I do every week. It’s what I’ve done for a long time. I’ve backed up a long time in this league. If my name’s called, I’m excited to be out there.”
Keenum also has a 3-0 record as a starter against Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, ESPN noted. The Bears are expected to confirm their game-day lineup on Monday (US time).
Where the teams stand
The Eagles are 2-0 after two late wins, while the Bears are 1-1 after scoring 59 points against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 and then losing 9-3 to the Minnesota Vikings, NBC10 Philadelphia reported.
Chicago’s running game will be a major test for Philadelphia’s defence. The Bears have averaged 212.5 rushing yards through two games, according to Eagles Wire, and ran for 281 yards in their 24-15 win over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday last season, according to NBC10.
The Aussie angle
Mailata is expected to start at left tackle for Philadelphia, with Bleeding Green Nation reporting that rookie Markel Bell is the likely swing tackle behind Mailata and Lane Johnson after Fred Johnson was added to the injury report with a knee problem.
On the other side, Taylor remains Chicago’s punter. In last season’s meeting, the Australian punted three times for 127 yards, with a long of 51, as the Bears won 24-15, Sporting News reported.
For a full wrap of the rest of the round, including the Australians in action, read our NFL Week 3 results, and check out our 2026 Eagles season preview.
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN in the United States, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling it, according to NBC10. The Eagles return home to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
