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Broncos Move Quickly; Reach An Agreement To Make Keenum Their QB
According to multiple reports, Case Keenum is expected to sign with the Denver Broncos when the free-agency period officially opens on Wednesday. As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal suggests, the move comes as a surprise primarily because of the timing.
Instead of fully jumping into the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, Broncos GM John Elway made sure that he had a starting quarterback in place well before free agency even starts.
Rosenthal went on to remind readers that Keenum is coming off a career-altering season in Minnesota, having helped the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game after Sam Bradford was lost in September to a knee injury. But Vikings coach Mike Zimmer never fully committed to Keenum publicly as the team's long-term option, whether during the season or after it ended.
"Is Case the guy he was last year or is he the guy he was two years ago?" Zimmer asked last week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Zimmer's doubts aren't baseless.
No doubt Keenum, 30, had a career year in 2017. He threw for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions during the regular season. But he had been pedestrian at best prior to that.
He played for the Rams in St. Louis in 2015, the Rams in Los Angeles in 2016 and the Vikings last season.
He also has spent time with the Texans.
So the question is whether Keenum is as good as he appeared to be in Minnesota last year? Or is he the journeyman who plied his trade without great distinction or success in the previous four years?
The Broncos believe it's the former and they may have something to hang their hat on.
As Rosenthal pointed out, Keenum started eight games for Houston in 2013 that season, which wound up being Gary Kubiak's final one as head coach for the Texans. Kubiak, who won a Super Bowl as Broncos coach, has since taken on an expanded role in the Broncos front office this offseason.
"Surely his experience working with Keenum added to the Broncos' comfort level in bringing Keenum on board despite the 30-year-old's risk-taking style," Rosenthal contends.
In the end, Keenum at least offers some stability for the Broncos and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders after the team relied on a three-man rotation (with Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler) last year.