Report: Browns give QB Case Keenum a 3-year, $18M deal to back up Baker Mayfield
After committing big-time money to shore up Baker Mayfield’s protection and weapons, the Cleveland Browns devoted significant funds to his backup, too.
The Browns have reached an agreement with former Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum on a three-year, $18 million deal with $10 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Browns reached agreement with former Redskins' QB Case Keenum on a three-year, $18 million deal that includes $10 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Keenum, now 32 years old, posted 1,707 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) with Washington last season.
Keenum opened last year as the starter in Washington after a trade from the Denver Broncos, only to be benched for rookie first-rounder Dwayne Haskins midway through the season. The two-year, $36 million deal Keenum signed with the Broncos in 2018 after his magical 2017 season with the Minnesota Vikings expired this offseason.
Can Case Keenum help mentor Baker Mayfield?
The move, which will make Keenum among the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the league, was reportedly done with the idea that Keenum will be a good presence in the quarterbacks room alongside Mayfield.
The two have both played under Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury during his days as an offensive guru in college football, Mayfield at Texas Tech and Keenum at Houston.
The Browns believe Keenum will really bring value to the QB room, alongside Mayfield. Btw, Keenum’s QB coach in college was Kliff Kingsbury, whom Mayfield played for one season at Texas Tech. In terms of profiling your backup to your starter, Keenum is a terrific match
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 16, 2020
Keenum’s deal will also reunite him with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was his quarterbacks coach with the Vikings in 2017.
Browns’ spending spree continues
The Browns have now agreed to mulit-year deals with three players on Monday, with Keenum joining former Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper and former Tennessee Titans tackle Jack Conklin.
Hooper reportedly has an agreement in place that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL at four years and $42 million with $23 million guaranteed, while Conklin’s deal will earn him $42 million over three years with $30 million guaranteed.
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