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Minnesota Vikings sign quarterback Case Keenum

By Brad Berreman

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Teddy Bridgewater’s status up in the air at best, the Minnesota Vikings have added another quarterback.

A severe knee injury for Teddy Bridgewater late last preseason put the Minnesota Vikings in a tough position, and they gave up a first-round pick to get Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles. Bradford performed well under the circumstances once he took over in Week 2, as he somehow stayed healthy behind a bad offensive line.

Last year’s backup to Bradford, Shaun Hill, is a free agent and may retire. Bridgewater’s status for 2017 season is in doubt, even with a recent sign of progress in his recovery. That would leave 2015 undrafted fee agent Taylor Heinicke as Bradford’s primary backup heading into the season. To that end, the Vikings made a move on Friday.

As first reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston, the Vikings have signed quarterback Case Keenum to a one-year, $2 million deal.

Keenum spent the last two seasons with the Rams, playing in a total of 16 games (14 starts) and starting nine games last year before 2016 No. 1 pick Jared Goff took over. Keenum spent the 2012-2014 seasons with the Houston Texans, after a standout college career at the University of Houston, starting eight games in 2013.

Keenum could simply wind up being an offseason and training camp arm for the Vikings, or he could end up starting games next season if Bradford goes down to injury. He at least seems sure to compete with Heinicke for a spot on the depth chart, with Bridgewater’s health the great unknown in the equation going forward. A stint on the PUP list to start the season seems like a best-case for Bridgewater right now, given the uniqueness and severity of his injury, so the Vikings seemed sure to add some kind of reinforcement this offseason.

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The Vikings apparently wanted to add a veteran fall back option under center, and Keenum is at least that. But if he sees the field much next season, things are surely not going well.

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