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New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Bears minicamp observations: Fun day at Halas Hall will fuel Ben Johnson's trick plays
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — One of the highlights from the third and final day of the Chicago Bears' mandatory minicamp was backup quarterback Case Keenum making a behind-the-back catch with two hands. It came after quarterback Caleb Williams caught a deep pass from receiver Devin Duvernay (who first made a catch on a throw from backup QB Tyson Bagent) and raced into the end zone where he screamed and celebrated. Advertisement It was a fun day at Halas Hall. Offensive linemen and quarterbacks caught passes during that one period in practice, while receivers, running backs and tight ends threw them. 'Yeah, I let those guys know, we only do this once a year, and it's an evaluation and we'll circle back in training camp and in the season to see who we can trust to catch the ball or throw the ball,' Johnson said Thursday. 'I think there's a couple guys on the (offensive) line that stood out. And then Case Keenum might have made the catch of the day, you know, behind the back about 50 yards down the field. So I think we've got some toys to work with.' 🚨 O-Linemen running routes 🚨 — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 5, 2025 This is the Ben Johnson way. He's serious about the details but also about adding trick plays to his playbook. The fun and games from Thursday could be considered the starting point for the latter. Did Johnson see the one-handed catch that right tackle Darnell Wright made? 'Oh, I did,' he said, smiling. 'I did. I did.' Johnson was asked on Wednesday if any players stood out to him during minicamp. He asked for a day to consider the players. On Thursday, he provided his answer: defensive end Dominique Robinson, rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, tight end Joel Wilson and rookie running back Kyle Monangai. Robinson, inactive for most of last season, spent most of minicamp playing with the defensive starters opposite Montez Sweat, with Dayo Odeyingbo sitting out. 'Even without the pads on, (Robinson's) done a great job of consistently speed-rushing up the field or countering back to the inside,' Johnson said. 'He's done a really nice job there. And of course he's got some special teams value that he takes a lot of pride in as well.' Advertisement Hyppolite's opportunities increased with T.J. Edwards dealing with a soft-tissue injury. Johnson described him as 'the player we probably saw the most improvement from when he stepped in to now.' Hyppolite, the Bears' fourth-round pick this year, played with the starters as the weakside linebacker. He's also competing with Noah Sewell on the strong side 'There's a lot of moving parts there at linebacker play,' Johnson said. 'They're keying and diagnosing a few different deals, and just with (defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's) scheme, the match mentality that we like to play a lot of our coverages with, things change quickly. He's done a great job adjusting to that speed as we've gone through, and that's going to have to show up once we do get the pads on. But I think he's been improving every single day, and really, we're hoping that course continues.' Wilson, who initially joined the Bears' practice squad last October, caught a touchdown pass from Keenum during a situational period on Thursday. Johnson said he's made plays like that throughout the offseason program. Wilson went undrafted out of Central Michigan in 2023 before stints with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. 'He's got a little savvy in how he moves,' Johnson said. 'He's got a nice route feel about him. The test will really be when we get going in camp, how he holds up in the run game and the pass pro game. But so far in the running route section of tight end play, I think he's stood out in a positive light.' Johnson said that Monangai, the Bears' final draft selection this year, has 'really stepped up' during minicamp. That included catching a touchdown pass from Williams during a situational drill on Wednesday. 'I appreciate the attention to detail and the pride he takes and how quickly he's picking things up,' Johnson said of Monangai. Advertisement Johnson has continued to quiz his quarterbacks on play calls. Quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett provides the play, and the quarterbacks have to repeat it and then go through its operation until they get it correct. Each quarterback gets three plays in a row. 'It's been intense,' Bagent said. 'At the beginning, when he was doing those quizzes, it was just kind of like putting somebody in a corner and pinning them there because we didn't really know what any of these words meant. So just trying to put together a play call when you don't really know what each word means is kind of hard. 'But I think that just that act in itself was like, at least for me … when I would go home, I would go straight into my iPad and try to figure all that (expletive) out. So I think it served wonders for the quarterback room going down the line, just what the expectation is of having to be on top of your (expletive) every day that you walk into the building, so I thought it was great.' Two years ago, Bagent was a rookie who beat out veteran P.J. Walker to be the Bears' No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Fields. But this year, it's apparent that he's fighting to maintain that spot against Keenum. 'Just compete my ass off and try to put myself in the best position possible, and I'm sure everybody in that room and in the building will do the same,' Bagent said. Keenum, though, has also turned into a great resource for Bagent, who shared a story from the first NFL game he attended: The Giants' 41-35 win in overtime over Washington on Dec. 22, 2019. Keenum led a 14-play, 99-yard scoring drive for Washington that day to force overtime. 'I'm about five rows up behind the end zone and they're backed up on their own 1,' Bagent said, recalling how Keenum nearly stepped out of bounds before one of his best completions. 'And just the angle and the drive that followed was something that I didn't forget.' Advertisement Bagent brought that game up to Keenum the moment he met him. 'What a guy,' Bagent said. 'What he brings to the room, really just an encyclopedia of information. Just somebody that's been in every role that a quarterback could possibly be in in the NFL, and I've just been trying to take advantage of that. … He's been great with answering every question that really everybody in the room has so far.' Rookie tight end Colston Loveland could be getting closer to returning after shoulder surgery. He was spotted in uniform, accompanying staff members to other practice fields at Halas Hall while the rest of the team practiced on Fields 1 and 2. 'I just knew the springtime here, he wasn't going to be available,' Johnson said, 'and at some point here in camp, we should get the green light.' (Top photo of Darnell Wright, left, and Jonah Jackson: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Vikings Emergency QB1 Quietly Signs with Rival
The Minnesota Vikings have seen some interesting quarterback situations unfold over the past decade, including the past two offseasons. But arguably the wildest QB rollercoaster we have ridden recently started with the drafting of Teddy Bridgewater No. 32 overall back in 2014. After two years under center, Teddy appeared to be taking the next step in his quarterback development during the 2016 preseason. Until… disaster struck during a late preseason practice. Out of nowhere, news broke that Bridgewater had suffered a knee injury so brutal that not only was his season over, but the moment required fast thinking from then head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, just to save Teddy B's leg. How Case Keenum became the Minnesota Vikings default miracle QB So on September 3, less than a week after Bridgewater marched up and down the preseason field vs the San Diego Chargers in the Vikings' third preseason game that year (August 28), then GM Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer sent a 1st round draft pick tp the Eagles for injury-riddled former No. 1 overall pick, Sam Bradford. Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images His task? To immediately assume the QB1 role for a playoff caliber MN Vikings team, having arrived in Minnesota just one week prior to the start of the regular season. After two brilliant starts to open the season, Bradford's body failed him yet again. Enter Case Keenum, who then assumed the QB1 role for the purple. Advertisement Unfortunately, the former University of Houston superstar and all-time NCAA career leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions couldn't help keep the Minnesota Vikings 2016 ship afloat. He went 4-5 in 9 starts and the Vikings missed the playoffs at 8-8. That brings us to 2017, where Keenum cemented himself in Valhalla forever. Stefon Diggs may be the player everyone remembers from the Minneapolis Miracle. He caught the pass, he stayed in bounds, he ran up the field, threw his helmet, got mobbed… etc. But it was Case Keenum who threw the miracle pass and who got the Vikings into that position on the field in the first place. Keenum was far from a perfect quarterback, as a Viking. He drew 23 total starts over two seasons, including 14 starts as Minnesota's main starter in 2017, a season in which he threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, far and away the best season of his career. Keenum signs with Chicago Bears for 2025 Unfortunately, Keenum and Minnesota Vikings flopped the next week in Philadelphia, a loss that resulted in the signing of Kirk Cousins and hiring of John DeFilippo a couple months later. Advertisement Nonetheless, Case Keenum has remained in the NFL, since leaving the Vikings. He earned one more starting gig in Denver, the next season, and has since been a backup for four different teams. This year, he'll add a fifth, after quietly signing with the Chicago Bears for one year and up to $3 million on Thursday. After spending the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, Keenum takes his talents to another roster where he can help mentor a young quarterback, Caleb Williams. Keenum last played an NFL game when he started twice in the place of C.J. Stroud, in 2023. He completed 64.2% of his passes in those games, to go with just 1 TD and 3 INTs. Last year, Case Keenum suffered a foot injury that placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The $3 million contract from Chicago is the same amount he made last season with the Texans. Advertisement Related: Rival Execs Continue to Question Minnesota Vikings Power Structure It's a far cry from the $18 million Denver handed him as a starter following his big year in Minnesota. Still, the journeyman is looking at career earnings nearing $60 million, a number nobody needs to be embarrassed by, no matter the profession. Remember, while he may have set a bunch of college records at Houston, he entered the league undrafted in 2011. Case Keenum: The young QB mentor In Chicago, Keenum will join Caleb Williams in the Bears QB room, now operated by first-year head coach Ben Johnson, who is coming over from Detroit and is now tasked with getting the best out of the 2024 first overall pick. Having Keenum there to help should make that job easier. Advertisement Keenum has become a favorite for teams looking for a veteran QB to help bring along a young franchise QB. For the Cleveland Browns, he worked with Baker Mayfield. In Buffalo, it was Josh Allen. Then, the aforementioned CJ Stroud and now Caleb Williams. Keenum will now see his former employer twice in 2025, assuming he makes the final squad out of training camp. It will be a nice little reunion for a guy that certainly has fond memories of U.S. Bank Stadium and the Minnesota Vikings organization, as a whole.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears to sign Case Keenum: 5 things to know about Chicago's new QB
Bears to sign Case Keenum: 5 things to know about Chicago's new QB The Chicago Bears added to their quarterback room with the signing of 12-year veteran Case Keenum to serve as a mentor for Caleb Williams. With new head coach Ben Johnson leading the charge, he added a veteran quarterback to not only help with the transition and introduction of a new offense but also an experienced quarterback that has been missing in the room. For the past two seasons, undrafted Tyson Bagent has served as the team's backup quarterback, becoming a fan-favorite in Chicago, but there had not been a true veteran in the position group. Keenum will help Williams develop bringing experience, mentorship, and an added option if the team were to have to turn to a backup. With Keenum in Chicago, here are five things to know about the new Bears quarterback. 1. Keenum is a journeyman quarterback In his 12-year career, Keenum has established himself as a veteran journeyman quarterback having played with seven different organizations: Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and the Bears make it eight. Keenum has been used as both a starter and backup throughout his time in the league. 2. Keenum orchestrated the "Minneapolis Miracle" Back in 2017, Keenum led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record, winning the NFC North division and putting Keenum in the Top 100 players in 2018. During the NFC Divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, Keenum threw for 318 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but that touchdown will go down as one of the most memorable in Vikings franchise history. With just 10 seconds left in the game, Keenum hurled a 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs to clinch the win over the Saints, dubbed the "Minneapolis Miracle." Minnesota went on to lose in the NFC Championship game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 3. Keenum has mentored three former No. 1 overall picks During his time in the league, Keenum has served as a mentor to three overall picks, now including Caleb Williams with Chicago. Before signing with the Bears, Keenum was the backup to Minnesota's Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and then in Cleveland when he was behind Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Keenum will provide an experienced voice in the quarterback room for Williams. 4. Keenum became FBS leader in all-time total offense During his college days with the Houston Cougars, Keenum became the FBS leader in all-time total offense, passing yards, and touchdown passes. He would have his No. 7 retired by his alma mater as he reached many accolades during his time with Houston, winning the Sammy Baugh trophy in 2009 and 2011, and was a First-Team All-American in the 2009 season. 5. Keenum made college football history Throughout his remarkable collegiate career, Keenum did not just make waves in Conference USA or Houston Cougars history, he also made college football history. Keenum is the only quarterback in college FBS history to throw for at least 5,000 yards in each of three seasons, and he's the only player in college football history to surpass 20,000 total yards of offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears to sign Case Keenum: Updated quarterback depth
Bears to sign Case Keenum: Updated quarterback depth The Chicago Bears added to their quarterback room reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran free agent Case Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. Keenum now joins a quarterback room that is built around second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, all in place for new head coach Ben Johnson, who will be tasked with taking Williams' young career to the next level. Keenum will be the longest-tenured veteran in the quarterback room, bringing plenty of starter experience who has also played in the playoffs in 2018 with the Minnesota Vikings. With the new addition to the quarterback room, here's a look at the Bears' updated quarterback depth heading into the 2025 season: Caleb Williams The cemented starter and potential long-time franchise quarterback of the future, Caleb Williams did not have a statistically bad rookie year, but the team success was a massive disappointment. Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions during a 5-12 season that led to a coaching change with Ben Johnson now running the show. With Johnson at the helm, the hope is Williams (and the Bears) will see considerable growth and improvement next season. Case Keenum An 11-year veteran in the league, Case Keenum has played for eight different teams with his most success happening in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings. Keenum, who took the Vikings to the NFC Championship game where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his best season. Keenum went on to throw for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions the following year as a starter for the Denver Broncos. Tyson Bagent An undrafted free agent who became an instant fan favorite since joining the team in 2023, Tyson Bagent has been the top backup since he joined the Bears. In 2023, Bagent filled in as an injury replacement for former starter Justin Fields, where he threw for 859 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions in four starts. Austin Reed An undrafted free agent last season, Austin Reed spent all of the year on the practice squad after throwing for 123 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. He was signed to a reserve/future contract in January. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Fan favorite QB returns to the NFC North after signing with the Bears
Fan favorite QB returns to the NFC North after signing with the Bears The Minneapolis Miracle will be a sports moment that will never die as long as human history continues to exist. The play broke the internet, shattered ear drums inside of U.S. Bank Stadium, and helped usher in a new generation of Vikings fans. Fast forward to 2025, one half of that memorable play is now returning to the NFC North to play for a Vikings division rival. Quarterback Case Keenum is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. Keenum will backup franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and give the team a veteran behind their young quarterback to help his development. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the signings on Thursday. Keenum played for the Vikings for one year in 2017 and went 11-3 as the team's starting quarterback. He passed for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns and helped the Vikings make the NFC Championship game before eventually losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual Super Bowl Champions.
