Case Keenum was the best story of the 2017 NFL season, and parlayed his magical run with the Vikings into a two year $36MM contract with the Broncos. While Keenum has had some nice moments this year, he’s mostly been a big disappointment. The Broncos clinched a losing season with their loss last night to the Raiders, and Keenum threw a pair of awful interceptions. With Vance Joseph a near lock to be fired at the end of the season, Denver will have an entirely new coaching staff next year with no ties to Keenum.
Only $7MM of his salary is guaranteed for next season, so the Broncos could realistically cut him this spring. Denver’s decision on whether to keep him “may have more to do with who else is available” than anything else, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Jhabvala notes that there may not be a Kirk Cousins-esque surefire starter available in free agency, and that could ensure that Keenum stays another year. Even if he is still on the team in 2019, he’ll likely be competing with a highly drafted rookie.
- The Steelers are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention, and need a win over the Bengals and a Browns victory over the Ravens in Week 17 to win the AFC North and sneak into the postseason. They’ll need all hands on deck, and could be getting a big boost on offense for the must-win game. James Conner has missed the last few weeks with a high ankle sprain, but has a “realistic chance” to play this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Jaylen Samuels has filled in admirably in the backfield, but getting Conner back would still be huge.
- A trio of Clemson players have failed drug tests ahead of the College Football Playoff, per Jori Epstein of USA Today. The most notable of the group is defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who has been projected by many as a first round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. While any incident like this could hurt a player’s draft stock, it should be noted that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is standing firmly behind his players and denying they used any performance enhancing substances, “saying the test results revealed ‘a sliver, a trace, a fraction’ of a drug he’d never heard of before.” We should know more details soon, but teams will surely be asking Lawrence about this at the combine.
- In case you missed it, former Chiefs and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is reportedly eyeing a return to the NFL.
Foles to the Broncos.
They just signed last years “backup on career year” in Keenum, why would they want this years version of the same thing?
Foles has shown much more in his career than Keenum had
If that’s the case let’s bring in Teddy Bridgewater and AJ McCarron too. Let those 3 lose games for us next year.
Umm no! I don’t see Foles to the Broncos unless somehow they can shed Keenums salary!
Did anyone really think Keenum was going to be good? He had a fluke of a good season but he’s never been more of a backup. It was silly to give him a big contract and think he’s a starter
He’s had his moments, did anyone really think that any QB could come into a new system and have great success, seriously he needs time to learn the system, even Cousins doesn’t look that great , the Vikings are fighting for the last playoff spot after paying him 30+ million when they were 1game from the SuperBowl last year with Keenum and at least Denver plaid 18 million a year. This seasons mess lands mainly on the head coach.
Call the Lions and trade for Matthew STAFFORD. The Broncos need a strong arm QB in an outdoor stadium and Matthew has that kind of arm. Lions will be more than happy to make that trade and you have a solid QB for the next 5 to 7 years. Call them now!
In 47 games outdoors in only won 19. I’ll pass thanks.
The Lions will be more than happy to take Casey Cassum for a year then they can draft a QB with their number 5 pick. Its a win/win for both teams and it will only cost you a 1st round pick next year. Lions are so desperate that they will hold off on any picks this year and take a 2020 1st rounder! You get a solid QB we get a manager of the game for a year and future QB and a future number 1. Make it happen BRONCOS!
I don’t know that “Casey Cassum” playing QB makes them any better! For one he’s dead, and for two a radio DJ doesn’t usually have the required skill set to start for an NFL team!
Keenum was a bust from the second he signed that deal. Dude had no track record
Having a key receiver would help. I wish DeSean Jackson or somebody like that would sign.
Sandy’s been great but showing wear.