Cleveland Browns: Exploring the Case Keenum option at quarterback

The Cleveland Browns need a new starting quarterback in 2018, so even though it may be unlikely, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum could be a possibility.

If someone out there predicted that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum would be one of football’s biggest free agents by the end of the 2017 season, their psychic prowess is something to be envied.

One way or another, Keenum has found a niche under Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer in Minnesota. Keenum has a big test this Sunday against an equally surprising New Orleans Saints defense in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, but let’s look past that and consider what could lie ahead.

Is there a chance, even a slim one, that Keenum could end up in Cleveland this fall? More importantly, would Keenum even work in Cleveland? Or is it possible that the Keenum magic only exists with Zimmer?

Let’s review. Despite his eye-popping numbers in college at the University of Houston, Keenum went undrafted in 2012. He has bounced between the Houston Texans and St.Louis/Los Angeles Rams, making just 24 starts, until this season.

Before the second week of the season, Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford suffered an injury, Keenum came in for Bradford, and led the Vikings to the playoffs by completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Now that the recap is over, let’s look to the future.

One thing is for sure: Keenum is going to get at least a decently large payday this offseason. One of the teams in the NFL, Cleveland or otherwise, will pay for his services.

It just so happens that the Browns have an advantage over just about any other team in the league. According to spotrac.com, the Browns have the second-most cap space in the league, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers.

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With the 49ers seemingly in possession of their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, they have no need for Keenum. But where does Keenum fall in the pecking order of Browns possible veteran quarterbacks?

Of course, many fans consider Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins to be the top option, followed by quarterback Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs. Below that, at basically the same level as Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, is Keenum. So, while not the top options, either of those two could be a fail-safe for Cleveland.

Make no mistake, Keenum has been downright lighting it up this season. However, there is one absolutely valid fear that fans may have about signing him. What if this is all Zimmer’s doing?

Although Zimmer is a defensive-minded coach, he has seen success with nearly every quarterback he has worked with in Minnesota. Since his arrival, Zimmer has had success with Bradford, Keenum, and Teddy Bridgewater.

Maybe this is not a fluke year for Keenum. Perhaps something just clicked inside his head and he “gets it” now. While unlikely, the Browns simply must pull the trigger if that is the case and Keenum becomes available in free agency.

Cleveland needs a franchise quarterback, preferably sooner rather than later. If it has to come from a career backup who made the most of an opportunity, so be it. After all, that worked (at least for a time) with Brian Hoyer.

All in all, acquiring Keenum is likely not the best move for the Browns. However, it is definitely a move that could help their young quarterback room.

Keep in mind that no current Browns quarterback has a win as a starter. At the very least, Keenum has 11 this year alone, possibly more after these playoffs.

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Keenum would be a definite improvement to this Browns team, as crazy as that might have been to say just one year ago.

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