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The Denver Broncos are all-in on Kirk Cousins, but if John Elway swings and misses they will be looking to bring in Case Keenum as a fallback option. The seventh-year veterans is coming off a career year and will likely command plenty of interest around the NFL when free agency officially hits.
So Denver, Minnesota, Arizona expected to be in on both Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum come the March 12 free-agent soft opening. As they should be. If you need a QB, gotta have multiple options. Cousins only gets to sign with one team. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 4, 2018
According to Pro Football Focus, Keenum was the ninth highest graded quarterback in 2017 with an 85.3 grade. The issue is whether or not that is the new normal for him or if his PFF Grade of 65.5, 53.4, 74.5, and 64.5 over the previous four seasons are not more the median for his career.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was especially doubtful of Keenum at the NFL Combine saying, “Is he the guy that played for the Rams or is he the guy that played for us?”
Unfortunately, the Broncos are desperate for any quarterback not currently on their roster. If they end up with Keenum it will likely mean they will draft a quarterback with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft as well.
Most predictions out there have Keenum pegged to make around $20 million a year in free agency. One outlet projects a 4-year deal for $80 million with $40 million of which in guarantees. I would expect Denver to try something shorter-term, but still north of $20 million.
Keenum is a bridge quarterback, which means Elway could be keyed in on another project quarterback in the first round like Josh Allen. In that scenario, Denver would roll with Keenum in 2018 and hope that Allen is ready to compete in 2019.
Let’s hope their all-in on Cousins is truly an all-in.