When the Denver Broncos signed Case Keenum to a two-year, $36-million deal in the offseason, the organization hoped that the perennial backup quarterback would be able to replicate his 2017 success in Minnesota.
While the jury is still out on whether Keenum is the kind of player that can lead a team to the playoffs on a yearly basis, the Brownwood, TX. native has certainly proved to be a step up from Trevor Siemian.
How drastic of a step up? Roughly the difference between generic soda and classic Coca-Cola. Sure, the generic is close enough to standard quality that you could likely justify going with the cheaper alternative, especially if that is what you are used to. But once you spend a little more to experience the real thing, it is tough to go back.
Do not get me wrong, I do not want to hype up Keenum like he is the next John Elway or Peyton Manning. But the veteran quarterback has given the Broncos a competitive chance to win in just about every game this year, which is something that could not have been said over the last two seasons.
The reality is every quarterback is not going to be an All-Pro, but when an intelligent player understands his role in running the offense, good things can happen. And what Keenum is proving is that if he protects the football on offense, there is enough talent at the skill positions and on defense for the Broncos to hang with any team in the league.
Over the last three games, Keenum has completed 60-102 pass attempts (59 percent), thrown three touchdowns and most importantly, he has zero interceptions. If Keenum can replicate this kind of ball control and the defense continues to get after opposing QBs, the Broncos should have an opportunity to win most of its remaining contests.
Local fans have been fairly skeptical of Keenum this season and most of the criticism has been valid. But if Keenum takes advantage of a favorable schedule down the stretch and leads Denver to the playoffs, much of Broncos Country will quickly embrace the 30-year old journeyman.
The NFL is all about “What have you have done lately?” If Keenum ends the season with another exciting playoff run like he did with the Vikings a year ago, the only thing Broncos fans will care about is that their favorite team is finally back in contention.
