Case Keenum is expected to sign with the Denver Broncos once free agency opens tomorrow at 4 p.m. Eastern. The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback will reportedly sign a two-year, $36 million deal barring any complications in the negotiations.
The Broncos were ardently looking for a quarterback and decided to strike early. Keenum apparently liked their approach and offer and has reportedly agreed to their terms. As a result, barring any last unforeseen setback in negotiations, he does intend to sign with them.
This move takes Denver out of the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes and out of the market for free-agent quarterbacks. In any case, Cousins will reportedly sign a three-year, $84 million contract with Keenum’s former team.
That would leave only the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns as teams that are actively chasing a starting quarterback.
Keenum, the Vikings starter last year, should give the Broncos some stability at the quarterback position after the tumultuous season the team endured last year with Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler.
He also gives the Broncos flexibility at the 2018 NFL draft where they now can choose to use their fifth overall pick on another position, take a young quarterback they can develop, or even trade down for more picks.
Last year Keenum finished with a passer rating of 98.3 as he led the Vikings to a 13-3 record, including a trip to the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the No. 1 seed and eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Last year Keenum had a career year after he passed for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions as he completed 67.6 percent of his passes. He will head to his fifth team in as many years after spending 2013 and 2014 with the Houston Texans, 2015 and 2016 with the St. Louis/L.A Rams and the Vikings in 2017.
