Add another team to Case Keenum‘s extensive NFL ledger. The journeyman backup will be called upon to help mentor another highly drafted young talent.
The Bears are signing Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to $3MM, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Keenum is coming off a season-long absence in 2024, but he helped mentor C.J. Stroud the year prior. Although Keenum is in his late 30s and coming off an injury-driven absence, he will bring a more proven Chicago backup compared to the team’s 2024 plan.
This will be team No. 8 (and NFL city No. 9) for Keenum, who has stopped through Houston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Denver, Washington, Cleveland and Buffalo. Not viewed as a starter since a short bridge stay in Washington, Keenum has maintained residence as a capable backup. He worked as the QB2 for Stroud, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield since his Washington one-and-done. Keenum, 37, joins a Bears team that had stationed Division II product Tyson Bagent as Williams’ backup. He was also Justin Fields‘ top reserve in 2023.
Keenum’s career and value peak occurred during his Minnesota season. The former UDFA led the NFL in QB DVOA that season, guiding a Vikings team — one that lost Sam Bradford early — to a 13-3 season and a first-round bye. That campaign miraculously extended to the NFC championship game, thanks to Keenum and Stefon Diggs‘ Minneapolis Miracle connection, and catapulted Keenum onto the starter level. He received a two-year, $36MM Broncos deal in 2018, but Denver cut bait — amid a string of QB misses — after one season.
More to come.
This content was brought to you by: Pro Football RumorsPro Football Rumors
