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Case Keenum of the Chicago Bears.
With potential retirement around the corner for third-string quarterback Case Keenum, the Chicago Bears might be looking for a sage veteran to sit behind starter Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent.
Keenum is 37, and he hasn’t made any formal announcements about his future, but he’s still hitting free agency, which means the Bears could be in the market for a new QB3.
Tyrod Taylor, now 36, has built a reputation over 14 NFL seasons as a reliable vet who can contribute in a number of ways. If Keenum retires, Williams and Bagent will be short a mentor, and Chicago’s quarterback room will be missing an experienced voice.
Windy City Gridiron’s Lester Wiltfong Jr. listed a few options for the Bears should Keenum hang up the cleats, and Taylor was one of them.
Should Chicago Bears Sign QB Tyrod Taylor to Backup Caleb Williams & Tyson Bagent in 2026?
GettyShould the Chicago Bears sign quarterback Tyrod Taylor to serve as mentor and backup to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent?
“Josh Johnson (40 years old) or Brandon Allen (34) could fit as the veteran number three, and depending on his market, 37-year-old Tyrod Taylor could be looking for a gig to close out his career,” Wiltfong wrote on February 11.
Taylor’s best season came in 2015 with the Buffalo Bills, when he threw for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also added 568 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. He was selected to the Pro Bowl that year, finishing 8-8 as a starter. Over three seasons in Buffalo, he compiled a 22-20 record and protected the football, throwing only 16 interceptions over 43 games.
Over his career, Taylor has played in more than 80 games with over 50 starts. In recent years, he has settled into the role many around the league believe suits him best, serving as a backup and spot starter for the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, New York Giants and the New York Jets. He can’t step in and operate an offense like he used to, but it’s his overall experience, preparation and positive mindset that could make him a formidable veteran presence in Chicago’s locker room.
Taylor has played under multiple coordinators and in varied systems, and he has seen countless blitzes and disguises. Bears head coach Ben Johnson saw the benefits of having a veteran in the QB room last year with Keenum. Could Johnson and company value the kind of contribution Taylor might bring? Absolutely.
Will QB Case Keenum Retire in 2026?
For his part, Keenum has made no announcements about his future — at least not yet. He has made it clear that he enjoyed his time working with Williams, though.
“I watched all of Caleb and was blown away by the skill set,” Keenum said earlier in the season, via the team’s official website. “I did not know him personally, but man, watching some of the throws and things that he’s able to do in games he’s able to win and plays he’s able to make, it’s like, ‘oh my, he’s got everything you could possibly want in an NFL quarterback.’”
“I’ve just been in a lot of situations, and I’ve gotten the crap knocked out of me a bunch, and more than knowing how to get hit, I know how to get back up and I know what it takes to play at a very high level in this league,” Keenum added.
We’ll see what he decides to do in 2026. If he plays, a return to Chicago feels very likely. If not, someone like Taylor would be a more-than-capable replacement.
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