In a season full of twists, last Saturday’s win may have been the moment the Chicago Bears truly arrived. Down 21-3 at halftime to the Green Bay Packers - a team that’s owned this rivalry for the better part of three decades - the Bears looked like they were on the verge of another chapter in a long book of heartbreak.
But then came the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson flipped the script, orchestrating a 25-point surge that stunned Lambeau Field and left the Packers reeling in a 31-27 Bears victory.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a win. It was a seismic shift.
For a franchise that’s spent years searching for a signature moment, this felt like it. A comeback of this magnitude, on that stage, against that opponent?
That’s the kind of stuff that gets remembered for generations. And while the headlines will rightfully belong to Williams, Johnson, and the young core that pulled it off, don’t overlook the steady hand in the background - veteran quarterback Case Keenum.
Keenum knows this story well. Back in 2017, he was the man under center for one of the most iconic playoff finishes in recent memory - the “Minneapolis Miracle,” when his last-second touchdown pass lifted the Vikings over the Saints in a game that still gives fans chills.
But what happened the following week is just as important: Minnesota, emotionally drained, got steamrolled by Philadelphia in the NFC Championship. Keenum lived it.
He knows what it’s like to ride the high of an unforgettable win, only to crash hard when the next challenge comes too soon.
That’s exactly why Ben Johnson has tapped into Keenum’s experience. The Bears didn’t bring him in just to hold a clipboard or mentor Caleb Williams from the sideline.
They brought him in because he’s been through the fire. He understands the emotional rollercoaster of the postseason and how quickly momentum can vanish if you’re not mentally prepared for what’s next.
This week, Keenum has reportedly been sharing that wisdom with the locker room - not just reliving the highs, but emphasizing the dangers of letting one win define your playoff run.
And it’s paying off. Keenum’s value to this team goes well beyond X’s and O’s.
He’s become a steadying voice in pressure moments, a guy who knows how to keep the temperature down when things get tight. That’s not something you expect from a third-string quarterback, but it’s exactly what the Bears envisioned when they signed him - a move that’s looking smarter by the week.
Now comes the next test, and it’s a big one.
The Los Angeles Rams are up next, and they might be the most complete team left in the field. Their offense is the league’s best - powered by an MVP-caliber quarterback and a system that’s humming at just the right time.
On the other side of the ball, they bring a ferocious pass rush that can wreck a game plan in a hurry. It’s a daunting matchup, and it should feel familiar to Keenum.
Back in 2018, it was a similarly stacked Eagles team that ended his miracle run.
The Bears know what’s at stake. They’ve already taken down one giant.
But if they can get past the Rams, the path to something truly special starts to open up. The dream isn’t just alive - it’s within reach.