Case Keenum Returns to the NFC North
To this day, the Minnesota Vikings haven’t returned to the NFC Championship Game since Case Keenum put them there with his miracle connection to Stefon Diggs in the final seconds of the home postseason game against the New Orleans Saints in January of 2018.
Case Keenum Returns to the NFC North
From then on, Keenum has bounced around, returning to his journeyman backup quarterback status he had prior to joining the Vikings.
Now, he has a new job, bringing him back to the division of his 2017 heroics. The Chicago Bears pulled the trigger and signed the free agent.
Adam Schefter reported on Thursday, “Veteran QB Case Keenum is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Chicago Bears, per source. Keenum now will help mentor Caleb Williams in Chicago like he did for CJ Stroud in Houston.”
A veteran presence in the locker room is generally beneficial for a young passer. The Bears selected Caleb Williams first overall a year ago and his development is crucial for the organization’s future.
To support him, Chicago hired highly-touted Lions OC Ben Johnson to scheme an offense for him as he did for Jared Goff. Keenum can mentor Williams from the sidelines and in the meeting room.
Keenum, still beloved in the Twin Cities, will return to U.S. Bank Stadium in the upcoming season. Hopefully, the results match that of Kirk Cousins’ return in the 2024 campaign.
Speaking of Cousins, the Vikings allowed Keenum to walk following his 2017 season to hire Cousins. The now-Falcon has undoubtedly had a better career since then, but some folks still wonder about that what-if.
Keenum threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his lone Vikings season. Planned to be the backup for Sam Bradford, he was suddenly asked to captain the offense with explosive weapons on the outside and a decent running game. Of course, having an elite defense helped him, too.
His magic dwindled in 2018 after signing with the Broncos, resulting in 18 touchdowns and 15 picks. Denver quickly moved on, shipping him to Washington, where he worked with Kevin O’Connell, throwing 11 TDs and five INTs. Since then, he has been a backup in Cleveland, Buffalo, and Houston.
He missed the entire 2024 season on IR.
Keenum has played in 80 career games (66 starts), tabulating 15,175 yards, 79 touchdowns, and 51 picks. He has been employed by the Texans (three times), Rams (twice), Vikings, Broncos, Washington, Browns, Bills, and now, the Bears.
The 37-year-old was also on some fans’ wishlist for the vacant QB2 job in Minnesota, and a salary of up to $3 million would’ve been reasonable. However, the Vikings now have to look in other directions, possibly eyeing Joe Flacco or Ryan Tannehill in free agency.
At this point, only J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien are under contract.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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