Bears Sign Veteran QB Case Keenum to 2-Year Deal

Signing could lead to trade of backup QB Tyson Bagent

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Chicago Bears have signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum to a 2-year, $8 million contract. This move could open the door for the Bears to trade away their current backup QB Tyson Bagent, who has been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason.

Why it matters

The Bears' signing of Keenum provides them with an experienced backup quarterback behind starter Justin Fields. This could make Bagent, a 25-year-old with potential, expendable and allow the Bears to potentially recoup some assets by trading him to a QB-needy team.

The details

The Bears agreed to a 2-year, $5.5 million contract with Keenum that has a maximum value of $8 million. Keenum, 35, has played for several teams in his NFL career and provides veteran leadership behind Fields. Bagent, the Bears' current backup, is under contract for one more season on a 2-year, $10 million deal.

  • The Bears signed Keenum on March 9, 2026.

The players

Case Keenum

A 35-year-old veteran quarterback who has played for several NFL teams and is now signing with the Chicago Bears on a 2-year, $8 million contract.

Tyson Bagent

The Chicago Bears' current backup quarterback who is under contract for one more season on a 2-year, $10 million deal.

Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears' starting quarterback.

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What they’re saying

“Source: veteran QB Case Keenum is re-signing with the Chicago Bears on a 2-year, $5.5 million deal with a max value of $8 million.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Bears will now likely look to trade backup QB Tyson Bagent to a QB-needy team, with the signing of veteran Case Keenum providing them with an experienced backup behind starter Justin Fields.

The takeaway

The Bears' signing of Case Keenum to a 2-year deal gives them a reliable veteran backup quarterback, but also opens up the possibility of trading away their current backup Tyson Bagent to another team in need of QB depth.