Bears Sign Veteran QB To Back Up Caleb Williams
Bears Sign Veteran QB To Back Up Caleb Williams
Last season was a frustrating one for Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who had come into the league as a potential franchise quarterback.
Many saw legitimate star potential in him, but his results were mixed, and the Chicago Bears went 5-12 and missed the playoffs.
For the 2025 season, Williams will have a veteran backup who has been around the block a few times.
Last season, Williams’ backup was Tyson Bagent, who had one prior season of NFL experience and appeared in five games in 2023.
Keenum, on the other hand, has been there and done that, with 11 NFL seasons under his belt.
He has played for seven NFL teams and has career totals of 15,175 passing yards, 79 passing touchdowns and 51 interceptions in 80 games (66 starts).
With Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, now head coach of the Bears, there is hope that Williams’ full potential will be unlocked.
He did well in college when he went off script and looked to make something out of nothing, but there has been some concern about his efficacy on pre-designed plays.
Chicago has two excellent wide receivers in veteran D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, who had a solid rookie campaign in 2024.
The Bears will have to deal with a very competitive NFC North in order to make the playoffs for just the third time since the 2010 season.
2025 NFL Draft: projecting a 7-round Chicago Bears mock draft
You can never have too many mock drafts. How about one that spans every pick the Chicago Bears have?
Here’s how we project the Bears’ draft picks in all seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
First, here’s a look at what picks the Bears have entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Draft picks
Here is where the Bears will pick in the 2025 draft. The Bears did not receive a compensatory draft selection for this draft.
Chicago Bears 2025 seven-round NFL Mock Draft
First round, No. 10 overall
The Pick:Â Will Campbell – OT, LSU
In the last two drafts where the Bears had first-round picks, GM Ryan Poles has taken players who visited Halas Hall on top-30 visits. Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze and Darnell Wright all visited the Bears before the draft. We’ll follow that trend here.
If the fixation on Campbell’s arms makes him fall to 10, the Bears should expeditiously take that card to the podium. Tush Push it through if you must. Campbell can add value immediately as a lineman who can play four different positions, and could be the left tackle of the future for the Bears.
Second round, No. 39 overall
The Pick:Â Andrew Mukuba – S, Texas
Kevin Byard is in the last year of his contract. If there’s even a shade of concern about Jaquan Brisker’s long-term health, it would be wise to invest in the future of the defense’s back end.
Mukuba took a top-30 visit to the Bears, and brings a solid combination of talent. He has great tackling ability and can also be a ball hawk. He’d bring big-play potential to Dennis Allen’s defense now, and in the future.
Second round, No. 41 overall
The Pick: J.T. Tuimoloau – EDGE, Ohio State
There might not have been a player who had a better run in the College Football Playoff than Tuimoloau.
The Bears got an extended look at Tuimoloau at Ohio State’s Pro Day. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bears opt for a pass rusher here, or for another Buckeye in general.
Third round, No. 72 overall
The Pick:Â Cam Skattebo – RB, Arizona State
It’s hard to see the Bears getting a guy like Ashton Jeanty or TreVeyon Henderson, but Skattebo offers great power to D’Andre Swift’s speed.
Skattebo might not burn defenders with his speed, but his running power and skills in the passing game, both as a blocker and receiver, stand out.
Fifth round, No. 148 overall
The Pick:Â Nick Martin – LB, Oklahoma State
Martin visited the Bears on a top-30 visit, but most projections say he’ll be a late-fifth round or late-sixth round pick. The Bears do not have picks in that range, so taking Martin here will do.
The value evens out when you take into account a knee injury that hampered Martin’s 2024 season, which would have given him a much higher grade.
