Case for Keenum: Vikings QB keeps disproving doubters
MINNEAPOLIS» When the Minnesota Vikings’ offense huddled for the first time on that mid-September afternoon in Pittsburgh, Case Keenum’s energy and confidence quickly filled the circle.
The Vikings were forced to turn to their backup quarterback to start the second game of the season after Sam Bradford’s knee acted up, an ominous development that can doom an NFL team to an autumn of disenchantment and playing for draft pick position.
Despite the decisive defeat against the Steelers that day, though, there was assurance Keenum gave his teammates.
“He’s a guy you want to play for,” receiver Adam Thielen said.
Four months later, the Vikings and Keenum are still playing. They’re only two wins from advancing to the Super Bowl.
“It’s been a blast, man. It’s been incredible. I’m sure one of these days I’ll be able to look back and really appreciate it, but there’s so much to enjoy right now,” Keenum said. “Not really putting too much into perspective. Not really looking too much at the big picture. I’m keeping my blinders on.”
With a modest 6-foot-1, 215pound frame, Keenum was mostly ignored by major-college programs despite leading Abilene Wylie High School in Texas to its first state championship. Houston made his only FBS scholarship offer, from then-Cougars coach Art Briles. And by the time Keenum was finished with the Cougars, he was the NCAA’s all-time leading passer with 19,217 yards and 155 touchdown strikes. Yet he still went undrafted in 2012, needing the Houston Texans’ practice squad to get his professional career off the ground.
Keenum started 10 games over the next two years before being traded to the Rams in 2015 — but they made Jared Goff the first pick in the 2016 draft, so there was no future for Keenum there beyond being a veteran mentor.
Even Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was among those who typecast Keenum as a “just in case” second-stringer.
“He just wanted a chance,” said his father, Steve Keenum. “He’s got to have the knack. It’s just a God-given, innate thing that he’s maximized by working hard.”