He is adding another team to his long NFL résumé. The veteran backup quarterback has signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth up to $3 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Keenum, who missed the entire 2024 season, previously served as a mentor to C.J. Stroud in Houston. Now in his late 30s and coming off an injury-related absence, he offers the Bears a more experienced backup option than their 2024 setup.
Chicago becomes the eighth team (and ninth NFL city) for Keenum, who has played for Houston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Denver, Washington, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Though he hasn’t been a full-time starter since a brief stint in Washington, he has remained a reliable backup, serving as QB2 behind Stroud, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield in recent years.
The 37-year-old now joins a Bears squad that previously relied on Division II product Tyson Bagent as Caleb Williams’ backup. Bagent also served as Justin Fields’ primary reserve in 2023.
Keenum’s career peaked during his time in Minnesota, where he led the league in QB DVOA in 2017. Taking over after Sam Bradford’s injury, he led the Vikings to a 13-3 record, a first-round bye, and an NFC Championship appearance, thanks in part to the famous “Minneapolis Miracle” play with Stefon Diggs.
That breakout season earned Keenum a two-year, $36 million contract with the Broncos in 2018, though Denver moved on after just one season as part of its ongoing quarterback struggles.
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