Browns officially sign QB Case Keenum

The Cleveland Browns officially signed quarterback Case Keenum on Tuesday.

The eight-year veteran reportedly agreed to a three-year contract for $18 million, with $10 million of that in guaranteed money, according to cleveland.com.

And less anyone think that Keenum is coming to Cleveland to supplant Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback, head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear what role Keenum will fill, according to clevelandbrowns.com:

“Case has been a backup in this league, he’s been a starter in this league. He understands as a backup how it’s your job to support the starter and be ready to play in a moment’s notice. Bottom line is we’re adding a really smart, tough football player in that room.

“I think the experiences he brings can be great for our team as a whole. I think he knows this system having played in it under coach (Gary) Kubiak when he broke into the league in Houston and obviously I have experience coaching him with the Vikings. He’s the son of a football coach, he’s a grinder, he’s a gym rat, so I think he’ll fit perfectly into the mentality we’re trying to build.”

Keenum arrives in Cleveland having made 62 starts in his NFL career while playing for the Houston Texans, the Rams (in both St. Louis and Los Angeles), the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.

He had his most success in 2017 when he started 14 games for the Vikings following a season-ending injury to quarterback Sam Bradford. With Keenum in the lineup, the Vikings went 11-3 and made it to the NFL Championship Game.

Keenum’s quarterback coach that year was Stefanski, and the opportunity to work together again was appealing to Keenum, he told clevelandbrowns.com:

“Coach Stefanski, I can’t say enough good things about him. I love him to death. Great friend, his family is incredible. I’m really, really excited he’s got an opportunity to go and lead an organization as great as the Cleveland Browns. It will be his first shot as a head coach and I’m excited to be a part of what he’s going to build there.”

For his career, Keenum has posted a passer rating of 85.3 - he has topped 90 percent twice - and thrown for 14,368 yards, 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions.