Gabby Hajduk

As of late,Case Keenumhas likened himself to George Strait.

Not because they're both from Texas or enjoy sporting a quality cowboy hat, but because Keenum's on his own version of the iconic country artist's "Cowboy Rides Away Tour."

"I saw his 'last' concert 10 years ago and he's still on that tour," Keenum told ChicagoBears.com. "Everyone said, 'His last tour, his last tour.' Well, he's still touring.

"That's how I feel."

It's true. Strait announced in 2012 that he was retiring from touring and the Cowboy Rides Away Tour that would run from 2013 to 2014 would be his last. Fast forward nine years, and the "King of Country Music" has five shows scheduled this summer, including one at Soldier Field.

While Keenum had only just started his NFL career in 2012, the metaphor rings true. As a 37-year-old veteran in a league where the average age of starting quarterbacks is 27.66 years old Keenum just extended his professional football tour.

Having recently signed with the Bears to mark his eighth different NFL team, Keenum joins a QB room with 2024 No. 1 overall pickCaleb Williamsand third-year backupTyson Bagent.

"I know where I'm at in my career and what I can bring to a team," Keenum said. "For me, a lot of it is not just on the field. I still feel like I have a lot of juice left and can play at a high level, but it's also about the off-the-field things you do during offseason workouts and the relationships you build, the trust you build, the culture that you want to help instill."

Keenum's role as a depth piece in the quarterback room not only consists of preparing to be thrown into game action at a moment's notice, but also mentoring Williams during his sophomore season.

While the pair had no prior relationship before Keenum signed with the Bears, the veteran took notice of Williams' rookie season last year. In evaluating Williams' talent, Keenum sees no shortage of star potential. But being at the opposite end of his career arc, the 13th-year pro sees an opportunity to help make sure Williams excels in his second NFL campaign.

"I watched all of Caleb and was blown away by the skill set," Keenum said. "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 certainly possesses the credentials to be a mentor for a young quarterback. He spent the past two seasons with the Texans supporting a group led by 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. That followed a one-year stint with Josh Allen and the Bills in 2022 and two years of backing up Baker Mayfield in Cleveland (2020-21).

While Keenum also started his career in a reserve role with Houston he signed with the Texans as an undrafted rookie in 2012 before heading to the Rams in a similar capacity he earned the bulk of his 66 career starts from 2016-19 with Los Angeles, Minnesota, Denver and Washington.

Playing with such a variety of quarterbacks in a variety of situations through the years, Keenum has been both the mentor and mentee. Early in his career, he learned from QBs like Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates, who taught him the West Coast offense and focused on solid mechanics and decision-making. He's spent time around Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill, who Keenum refers to as a "deep cut."

"We're all different and that's what makes us so special of a league, that iron sharpening iron," Keenum said. "We're the best of the best, and if everybody commits to being humble enough that you don't know everything, but also trying to help each other out and sharpen each other up, that type of competition and camaraderie really is something strong you can build on."

The opportunity to take those learnings and share them with a talent like Williams was intriguing to Keenum. But that wasn't the sole factor that led to him signing with the Bears. When deciding his next NFL destination after spending the entire 2024 season on Injured Reserve in Houston, Keenum needed a place where he could be the best version of himself. One where he could sense a "win-now" mentality.

Having led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2017, Keenum knows how it feels to be that close to the ultimate goal of every NFL player, coach and executive. He wants to win a Super Bowl. After speaking with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson, he chose Chicago because he knows they are just as committed to that goal as he is.

"As I got to know the Bears coaching staff and Ryan and Ben, it's like, 'yeah, this is a place that fits me, and I can really get behind and be a part of this and enjoy playing football again,'" Keenum said. "It was tough last year being on IR, not being a part of the team as much, so to really get back in a building and have a team want me, come and find me and say, 'hey, you have something that we want, so come here and play for us' felt really good."

While the combination of Williams, the coaching and front office staffs, and the club's culture all led to Keenum's decision to move to his ninth NFL city, his wife, Kimberly's support was the most valuable piece to him.

Kimberly has been with Case for his entire NFL journey the couple married in 2011. The Keenum family has nicknamed Kimberly the "logistical ninja" for her ability to navigate every move, which now includes five-year-old son Kyler and four-year-old daughter Cadence.

With the buy-in from his family and what he calls a "special" situation inside Halas Hall, Chicago became the next destination on Keenum's tour.

"I want to be a part of building something special with Ben, his offensive mind and Caleb, his incredible talent and just such a bright future," Keenum said. "To pair all that in a city like Chicago with an organization like the Chicago Bears, man, it's such a great tradition and history. I mean, I'm trying to pick a number and there's like 50 numbers retired. That says something about a place.

"My wife was on board to move and do it, so let's do it. My family is a big part of me, and I would not be here without their support."