When the NFL scheduled Philadelphia to Fly Eagles Fly their way up to the Second City for a Monday Night Football clash against the Chicago Bears, they likely expected a certified clash of the titans between a pair of teams that could realistically represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Instead, the Bears may very well end up starting Case Keenum in front of the NFL world, setting up a 2017 NFC Championship rematch that no one wants to see in 2026.

Discussing how it feels to potentially land his highest-profile start in years on the final NFL game of September with reporters on Wednesday, Keenum admitted he's nervous but also relishes the opportunity to potentially go out and play some football.

“I love the feeling of being nervous. I do get nervous. And it's not a scared nervous, it's an excited nervous, because I know I'm prepared. I'm confident in my preparation and what I've done. I'm confident in my teammates. I'm confident in their preparation. I'm confident in the game plan and what my coaches have put together,” Keenum said via CHGO Bears' Adam Hoge.

“I say if you're not feeling something — everybody feels it differently — I feel a little butterflies. But it's because I care. I love this game. I love this team. And heck, this Texas boy, I love Chicago. Like, I really do. I've enjoyed it here. I had some special moments in that stadium last year, and if my name is called this week to get an opportunity, God, my thing is care too much sometimes.

“So yeah, I love it. If I didn't love it, if I didn't have those feelings, if I wasn't nervous, I'm going to go do something else, like go jump out of airplanes or bungee jump. Try to get it some other way. But I love this game, and heck yeah, I tell that to kids all the time. I get nervous. And I'm 38 years old!”

When was the last time Keenum started an NFL game? That would be all the way back in Week 17 of 2023, when he was a member of the Houston Texans. While Keenum likely expected more of a mentorship role than any meaningful on-field action when he joined the Bears in 2025, if his number gets called, it's clear the 38-year-old is ready to roll against a Vic Fangio defense that has a reputation for taking no prisoners.