Do not touch Case Keenum in your fantasy lineup, even if he starts. The Chicago Bears might turn to their third-string quarterback for Monday Night Football, but that is a trap, not an opportunity. Following a hamstring strain sustained late in Sunday’s defeat by the Minnesota Vikings, starter Caleb Williams will probably miss this week.
Backup Tyson Bagent is already stuck in the NFL’s concussion protocol, which forces the team’s hand. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the veteran Case Keenum is the only option left standing for the Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
A One-Week Spot Start
Keenum is 38 years old and an 11-year veteran, but his recent resume tells a different story. For the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans, he has started merely four times and appeared in only 13 games since the 2020 season began. In those short stints, he accumulated 807 passing yards along with four touchdowns and four interceptions. The Bears have plenty of playmakers on offense, but a capable Philly defense in primetime will stifle any hope of a breakout.
Deep two-QB superflex fantasy managers should avoid investing heavily in Keenum, as his role with Chicago could be merely a one-week spot start. Across 80 games with seven different teams, his career stats include a 62.3% completion rate, 79 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions. That is the ceiling, and it is not high enough to justify a roster spot.
The Injury Crisis Hits Hard
The real story here is the brutal injury wave hitting the quarterback position across the league. Major injuries took out several signal-callers including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Jaxson Dart during Week 2. Jayden Daniels suffered another dislocated elbow in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, making Marcus Mariota a waiver priority for the Washington Commanders. The situation in Chicago mirrors the chaos elsewhere, but the outcome for Keenum is far bleaker.
The Falcons confirmed that Michael Penix Jr. would be their starter after terrible performances from Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Every team is scrambling, but the talent gap is real. Keenum does not have the arm or the mobility to exploit a tough defense like Seattle or Philadelphia. He is a stopgap measure for a team that needs to win, not a fantasy asset for managers looking for points. The season must go on, but smart managers will know when to sit a player.
According to RotoBaller NFL, the guidance is straightforward: do not anticipate much from Keenum if he faces a capable Philly defense.
