Broncos Choose Case Keenum to Return Them to Playoffs

In an attempt to return the Denver Broncos to a playoff conversation and avoid using the word “rebuild,” the Broncos are going all in on quarterback Case Keenum, who will sign a contract with Denver when free agency is officially opened on Wednesday afternoon.

Keenum, who is 30, helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to a record of 11-3 over 14 starts he made last season when Sam Bradford went down injured. The Vikings reached the NFC Championship where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Keenum, Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins are considered the three top quarterbacks this year in free agency. Denver evaluated both Cousins and Teddy Bridgewater prior to deciding to go with Keenum as their choice.

The Broncos want to upgrade their offense quickly since their defense is quality and want to take advantage of that. Although it will come with a big price tag. That price will be announced once the terms are finalized for a multiyear deal with Keenum.

John Elway has started his eighth season as the chief decision maker for the Broncos. Denver has not reached the playoffs the last two seasons.

Elway is beginning to be measured as a successful NFL team executive for what has taken place “without Peyton Manning.  In 2012, Elway signed Manning, who at the time was not 100% following neck surgery for the fourth time. However, Manning helped to win four AFC West titles and led team to two trips to the Super Bowl and one Super Bowl title.

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In an attempt to recapture some of that, the Broncos have gone after Keenum and landed him.

Five of Denver’s top seven quarterbacks in the history of the franchise, and that includes Elway as the No. 1, have come via a trade or through free agency.

Denver had four quarterbacks on the team this last season, which includes Chad Kelly who is on injured reserve, who were drafted by the team and all will be bypassed when Keenum is signed.

While Case Keenum is a safer bet than Denver using a top pick in the NFL draft and then grooming them, the ability of Elway to build a team that competes in the postseason each season will largely hinge at this time on the ability of his to build a complete roster around the players on the team with the largest contracts – Keenum and Von Miller.