Broncos add Shiloh Keo to bolster defensive backfield
The Denver Broncos signed safety Shiloh Keo to bolster their defensive backfield depth in the wake of some recent injuries to T.J. Ward and David Bruton.
It was the old ‘Christian Ponder for Shiloh Keo’ midseason swap for the Denver Broncos over the last 24 hours as the team needed to make a move for some depth at safety when T.J. Ward and David Bruton were injured.
And it came within a week of Keo tweeting at Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips…
@sonofbum didn't want to pick me up huh?
— Shiloh Keo (@kaleo10) December 2, 2015
Phillips responded…
@kaleo10 Keo--Josh was with us in camp and first 4 games-u know how much I think of u--hope that little Keo is doing well
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) December 2, 2015
@sonofbum I hear ya, still the same system tho. Little man is doing great. Keep me in mind tho if things don't pan out
— Shiloh Keo (@kaleo10) December 2, 2015
Apparently, the Broncos did keep him in mind, but they also did him one better — they signed him after trying out veterans Chris Clemons and Stevie Brown.
Keo said on Wednesday that he was just hoping for a ‘futures’ deal somewhere in the NFL after nearly the entire season had gone by before the opportunity came with the Broncos…
“I was just trying to touch bases with all of my coaches. This time of year, I know how things go. It’s hard to get on, especially at my position. There aren’t too many injuries that happen at safety. It was unfortunate about what happened to the players here, but the coaches trust me, I’ve been in the system, I have a good relationship with them and I’m just excited to be a part of this winning team. I’m going to do everything that I possibly can to bring home a Super Bowl.”
Keo, who played under Phillips and Gary Kubiak in Houston, said he is extremely grateful to be back playing with his former coaches.
“I’m loving it. Like I said, I have a strong relationship with them. That whole Twitter thing was just an opportunity for myself to stay in contact and get my name thrown around hopefully for a futures contract. Things happen and now I’m here. I’m very thankful and very blessed. I can’t thank the Lord enough for this opportunity.”
As hopeful as you try and stay throughout the year, Keo didn’t think 2015 was going to yield him a job in the NFL. He thought after being released by the Bengals and getting all the way to December, he might have to hedge his bets on next season and getting another chance, and then the Broncos came calling…
“No, for the most part, especially this time of year, like I was saying it’s hard to get on. I know the way that the league works. They’re going to pull from in-house with the practice squad or somebody who started the year out with them, which they did, so I knew they were going to do something like that. Something else happened and now I’m here, so I’m thankful for the opportunity.”