Bears Grab Second Former Vikings Player in 6 Days
The Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings have a long history. Actually, Minnesota’s first-ever game in the NFL was against the Bears, and shockingly, the purple franchise beat the George Halas-coached Bears 37-13 behind four touchdown passes in Fran Tarkenton’s NFL debut—Skol Nation leads the all-time series 68-58-2.
Bears Grab Second Former Vikings Player in 6 Days
In the last four years, the Vikings won seven of the eight matchups, with Josh Dobbs’ primetime performance being the outlier. When those two franchises meet, the contests are mostly pretty ugly, especially those in Chicago.
One guy who beat the Bears twice in 2017 is Vikings’ folk hero Case Keenum. He replaced Sam Bradford when it became evident that Bradford couldn’t move and finished the Bears off. Later in the year, he clinched the season series against the NFC North rivals.
Last week, Keenum signed a deal with the Bears to become their QB2 (or QB3 if Tyson Bagent is deemed better). The veteran and long-term bridge or backup quarterback was primarily hired to mentor sophomore and last year’s first-overall pick Caleb Williams.
On Tuesday, another former Vikings joined him. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who was released by the Vikes a couple of days before, was added to Chicago’s strong secondary, the Bears announced.
Wright was a trade acquisition ahead of the 2024 season in a swap deal that sent Andrew Booth Jr. the other way. Booth Jr. actually contributed to Mike Zimmer’s poor Cowboys defense last season. Wright, meanwhile, spent the entire season on the practice squad in the Twin Cities. He played in one game (15 snaps on special teams).
On defense, he has never earned a big role in the NFL, but on special teams, he has played some meaningful snaps in his career. A former third-rounder, Wright was immediately considered a reach, and those who called him that turned out to be right.
The Bears are his third stint in the NFL, and he surely aims to secure one of the coveted 53 roster spots, although he should be considered to have only an outside chance. His special teams contributions could give him a shot, though. Cutting him in April indicates that the Vikings like their depth at cornerback.
Keenum, however, will have a longer chapter in the history book of the Minnesota Vikings for his magical 2017 season, including the pass to probably the most iconic play franchise history: The Minneapolis Miracle.
The Vikings allowed him to leave via free agency in the 2018 offseason, but he still hasn’t replicated that kind of success. Keenum’s journey has been quite complicated. He has moved around a bit throughout his long career.
He has been employed by the Texans (three times), Rams (twice), Vikings, Broncos, Washington, Browns, Bills, and now, the Bears.
In his career, the former University of Houston standout has registered 15,175 passing yards, 79 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions.
Sports sometimes produce the craziest moments, and Keenum returning to Minnesota and actually seeing the field as Chicago’s quarterback would be one of those. He was on the wishlist of many fans as the new QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy, but the Bears ended his time on the market. Keenum missed the entire 2024 season with an injury. He turned 37 in February.
Ironically, the Vikings employ a former Bear at the same positions: QB Brett Rypien and CB Reddy Steward.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Vikings Predicted to Grab a QB in the Draft