Denver Broncos: Pre-free agency rumors and thoughts

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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Quarterback rumors/thoughts

What are the Broncos going to do with Case Keenum?

Are they going to pay someone a draft pick to trade for him as the Texans did with Brock Osweiler? Are they going to flat out cut him? Are they going to work a re-structure and keep him?

Though the last option sounds like the least likely, it’s something John Elway expressed he has interest in.

How would that work? Wouldn’t it be awkward for Keenum to return after being replaced? Won’t he stick it to the Broncos, make them pay his full base salary and signing bonus, and sign for the minimum elsewhere?

That isn’t an overly likely scenario, as signing elsewhere for the minimum puts Keenum’s roster security in serious jeopardy.

The Broncos and Keenum would be wise to re-negotiate his deal and organize a trade at that point. The Broncos would still have a dead money hit, but they might be able to save a lot more than they thought if they can accomplish something like that.

Ultimately I don’t see the Broncos keeping Keenum this year, but the fact that that is a legitimate option does give them some leverage I didn’t previously see. It’s not as black and white as just cutting or trading him.

Keenum has value around the league as one of the top backups and was a great starter for the Vikings in 2017. The Vikings, as it turns out, might need a backup quarterback and now have Gary Kubiak on staff.

With Flacco coming in, I think Keenum’s days in Denver are almost finished, but how the Broncos arrive at his departure will be fascinating.

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