Getty Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos throws against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denver Bronco president and general manager John Elway has talked with Case Keenum about trading or releasing quarterback Case Keenum, reports Troy Renck of Denver’s ABC 7.
In his one year in Denver, Keenum threw for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He signed with the Broncos on March 14, 2018 for a 2-year, $36 million contract. He previously had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs.
He led the Broncos to a third-place finish in the AFC West after a 6-10 season. Head coach Vance Joseph was ousted in favor of former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Baltimore Ravens traded Joe Flacco to Denver on Feb. 13, seemingly as a move to push out Keenum. Flacco won Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, also taking home MVP honors.
Elway did not discuss potential destinations for Keenum. Teams such as the Buffalo Bills could snatch him up to stabilize the quarterback room.
Back on Feb. 13, Ian Rapoport tweeted that, “The #Broncos will now shop QB Case Keenum, who is guaranteed $7M in 2019, I’m told. If they can’t, it’s either a massive paycut or a straight up release. He’d be a top backup.”
One landing spot could be the Arizona Cardinals, according to Benjamin Albright.
The Cardinals drafted Josh Rosen last spring in the first round, and started him for the second-half of a 3-13 campaign. The rookie out of UCLA struggled in year one, completing just 55 percent of his passes for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 picks. Keenum would serve as a long-term backup and veteran mentor.
Also, new Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury tutored him in college in 2009. He served as the Houston quarterbacks coach during Keenum’s final year, where he set several Division 1 passing records at the time.
Another team to watch is the New York Giants. Keenum had his best season playing under former Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, now the head man in New York. Eli Manning is 38 and nearing the end of his career.
The New York Post is reporting that the Giants plan to use their No. 6 pick in the draft on a quarterback. The top targets appear to be Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray and Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins.
The main impediment to trading Keenum at the moment is his $7 million guarantee for next year, which presumably many teams want to avoid on their salary caps.