The Bears brought in Case Keenum to mentor Caleb Williams. He figured to play behind Tyson Bagent, the team’s established second-string quarterback.
Coach Ben Johnson, though, said Keenum has a chance to be the team’s second-stringer.
“That’s how we explained it to him, that’s how we explained it to Tyson,” Johnson said Wednesday. “We’re going to continue to mix up the reps over the course of the preseason and then at some point in training camp, we’ll make a decision with who has earned that No. 2 job and we’ll go with it. But for right now, we’ve got a battle.”
Keenum was happy to hear it.
“I show up every day and hope my locker is not cleaned out, man,” the 37-year-old said. “That’s how I treat every day. I compete against myself, compete against the guys in that room. I compete against the defense that we’re playing that day, today and then every day. I’ve competed my whole life, so, you know, I’ve got a knack of sticking around and being ready to go when my name is called, no matter when that is or how that is.”
### **Tez in attendance**
Notable Bears absent from the team’s voluntary practice Wednesday were linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Edwards and Gordon have soft-tissue injuries, Ben Johnson said. The Bears’ top two picks, tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden, remain out with injuries.
It was important for Montez Sweat to attend, though. After posting a career-high 12 ½ sacks in 2023, he had 5 ½ in 2024.
“Coming off a disappointing year, I thought it was important to be here,” Sweat said.
Sweat, who didn’t participate in many team drills, likes what he’s seen.
“I definitely feel like we’re on the right track,” Sweat said. “You could do all the hooting and hollering before the season and all that type of stuff. It all comes down to what’s happening on Sundays. Are we winning? Are we losing? So we’ll bring the judging board out there then.”
### Notes
• The Bears expect full attendance for their three mandatory minicamp practices next week, Johnson said.
• The Bears will hold a joint practice against the Dolphins on Aug. 8 and one against the Bills on Aug. 15. They will host each team at Soldier Field for a preseason game two days later.