Denver Broncos have strong connection to Case Keenum
The Denver Broncos may have Kirk Cousins atop their list of free agent quarterbacks, but Case Keenum has a very strong connection in the organization…
The Denver Broncos will likely put a lot of focus on Kirk Cousins this offseason, but another quarterback may interest them if he should become available this offseason.
That quarterback is none other than Case Keenum, the veteran former undrafted free agent who has bounced around to a number of teams and just played extremely well in 14 games (not including postseason) for the Minnesota Vikings.
This season, Keenum was on a one-year, $3 million contract. Needless to say, he’s going to be getting a massive raise this offseason, but who will give it to him?
The Minnesota Vikings obviously have a difficult decision ahead of whether or not to re-sign him to a long-term contract, or slap him with the franchise tag, or let him go altogether.
All of those options are seemingly on the table with the Vikings becoming more and more of a legitimate option for free agent Kirk Cousins.
If the Vikings decide to not franchise tag Keenum, he’ll have plenty of suitors as a free agent. One of those teams that would undoubtedly pursue him is the Denver Broncos.
Again, provided they swing and miss on Cousins.
Keenum has a very strong connection in Denver with Gary Kubiak, who has been placed in a prominent role in the Broncos’ front office and will perhaps have significant say in who the Broncos bring in via free agency this offseason.
If that’s the case, Keenum could see a great opportunity in Denver, but how would that all work out?
In all likelihood, if Keenum is not franchise tagged, he may be seeking more of a long-term deal than the Broncos can commit to. His market value based on performance and the general price of quarterbacks nowadays (thanks Osweiler, Glennon…), the Broncos would have to commit between $18-20 million per season for Keenum, and you don’t pay that kind of money to a backup player.
You just don’t, not with the Broncos’ cap situation and the players that would have to be let go in order to make it work.
If the Broncos were to sign Keenum, that — to me — would have to mean they would take a different position than quarterback with the fifth overall pick. Keenum might seem like a ‘bridge’ quarterback but you don’t pay that kind of money to someone to bridge the gap.
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If you pay Keenum that kind of money, you play him. If you draft someone at quarterback with the fifth overall pick, you have to play him.
I don’t think the Broncos should do both, but what do I know?
If Keenum is the player the Broncos want to commit to financially, then they would have to pass on quarterbacks in the draft until at least day two.
Who knows what could happen then?
Keenum is in a great situation in Minnesota. I think he and his agent are going to really campaign for the Vikings to keep him around on a long-term deal, and he may even be willing to give them something of a discount to stick with those two great receivers he has, and the fantastic supporting cast defensively.
In the end, I think the Broncos do have a big bargaining chip in Gary Kubiak if they get into a competition for Keenum’s services, but it seems like an emergency option that would also take the Broncos out of the mix for quarterbacks at the top of the draft.