Chicago Bears MNF Preview vs Eagles – Week 3, 2026
Good afternoon Bears fans. How are we doing? Is anyone on the ledge? You shouldn’t be. Just because star QB Caleb Williams is on the shelf for a few weeks doesn’t mean you should be on the ledge.
The Bears have arguably the strongest QB room in the NFL, with Tyson Bagent as a backup capable of winning games, which is more than most teams can boast. Plus, Case Keenum has got to be the most solid third stringer in the league. I would bet that most teams don’t even have an experienced 3rd string QB, especially one with Keenum’s legacy.
So Case Keenum is likely drawing the start tonight on Monday Night Football against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, as it would be even with wunderkind Caleb Williams starting. Keenum hasn’t started a game in three years. He’s 38 years old. However, he received starter reps this week, especially on Wednesday and Friday, which were the days that HC Ben Johnson installed his offense. 1st and 2nd downs were practiced on Wednesday, with 3rd downs getting installed on Friday. This is the main reason why the recently concussion-cleared Bagent will NOT start on Monday, probably. At least this is what we’ve been told. Bagent only started practicing on Saturday, which was the practice for red zone and two-minute situations.
Having said all this, I would argue that Johnson should start Bagent, as he has been Williams backup for two plus years now, knows the offense, and can execute it effectively. Either way, as a fan I am really excited to see Keenum and/or Bagent.
Meanwhile, the Eagles remain one of the NFL’s most talented teams, boasting Super Bowl experienced players such as QB Jalen Hurts, WR Devonta Smith, and RT Lane Johnson, not to mention superstar RB Saquon Barkley, WR Dontayvion Wicks, and WR Makai Lemon. And that’s only Philadelphia’s offense. Over on defense, they are supremely blessed with DT Jordan Davis, DE Jalen Carter, LB Nolan Smith, LB Zach Baun, CB Quinyon Mitchell, and S Cooper DeJean.
The Bears defense will be hard-pressed to stop the Eagles offense, and the Bears offense won’t be at full-throttle without Williams. Philadelphia is favored by 3.5 points.
- Dutch Lion’s Prediction:
Philadelphia Eagles 27
Chicago Bears 20
