Vikings Fan Favorite Case Keenum Joins NFC Rival
By Trevor Squire
The Minnesota Vikings are still in search of a veteran quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy. After considering Aaron Rodgers for several weeks, the Vikings have decided to move forward with McCarthy. Finding a quarterback who can serve as both a mentor and a competitor to a young player is a challenge, particularly in a league that demands constant high performance.
One notable name left in free agency was Case Keenum, a former Vikings quarterback and hero of the Minneapolis Miracle that helped the team reach their last NFC Championship. However, on April 4, Keenum made a surprising move, signing a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. The Bears are hoping Keenum will serve as the ideal mentor for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Keenum first joined the Vikings in 2017 as a backup but was thrust into the starting role after injuries to Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford. Keenum stepped up, leading the Vikings to an 11-3 regular-season record, with 3,547 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His most memorable moment came in the NFC Divisional Round when he threw for 318 yards, including the famous 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs that became known as the “Minneapolis Miracle.” The Vikings went on to lose in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
After that season, Keenum signed with the Denver Broncos but has not reached the same level of success, bouncing between teams. He last played for the Houston Texans in 2023 but spent the majority of the season on injured reserve.
Now with the Bears, Keenum is expected to provide veteran leadership for Caleb Williams, who will be starting under new head coach Ben Johnson. Meanwhile, the Vikings are still exploring their quarterback options, with Brett Rypien currently the only backup to McCarthy.
