HOUSTON – Former Texans backup quarterback Case Keenum, a former University of Houston record-setting passer, is joining the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $3 million, per a league source.
Keenum, 37, spent last season on injured reserve due to a painful foot injury.
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Now, he’ll provide an experienced mentoring presence to Bears second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
When Keemum aggravated the foot injury against the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason, the decision was made to shut him down for the entire season and place him on injured reserve
Keenum’s two-year, $6.25 million contract expires after this season and he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
“His leadership, his toughness, his intelligence,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in training camp of Keenum. “It’s unfortunate that he’s not going to be able to play football this year. Hopefully, he’s around the team and around the building. He can be an asset to the team, to that room. A lot of respect and appreciation for Case, what he’s done not only over the last year or so or year and change, but over the course of his career.”
A former starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Washington franchise, Keenum has gone 30-36 as a starter and passed for 15,175 yards, 79 touchdowns and 51 interceptions for his career. He won a key game for the Texans last season, engineering a pivotal overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans when Stroud was sidelined with a concussion.
Keenum once threw an NCAA-record nine touchdown passes for the Coogs against Rice, finishing his collegiate career with 19,217 yards, 155 touchdowns and 46 interceptions.
“You’re talking about a guy that went undrafted that’s basically made it 12, 13 years, whatever it’s been,” Caserio said. “So, it’s a credit to him. It’s unfortunate, difficult situation. I’m sure there’s a lot of emotion involved. I don’t want to speak for him, but as far as what he does moving forward, ultimately that’s going to be his choice. I think whatever he decides to do, he’s going to be really good at it.”
The Brownwood, Texas native has been an inspiration to his teammates, providing strong mentoring. He set all-time records for passing yards, touchdowns and completions at the University of Houston.
With the Vikings, Keenum engineered the “Minneapolis Miracle,” to beat the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs as he delivered the game-winning touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, his teammate in Minnesota and with the Buffalo Bills and Texans.
“Losing Case is a tough one,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a former Keenum teammate. “Hate that for him. It’s a tough spot to be in. Case, he provided a lot for our team, not only on the field, but off the field. Just spiritually, mentally, just the energy, positive energy that he brought to our team.
“Case is a leader and he’s made a great career in this league for 13 years. Come from undrafted here from UH, to undrafted to making a name for himself. So, proud of what Case has done and he’ll continue to lead and be successful at whatever Case decides to do.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
