Houston Cougars: Determining Keenum’s future and a Redskins proposal
By Paul Conlon
Where does Keenum land next?
Former Houston Cougars‘ quarterback Keenum, so often written off, has averaged more than a passing touchdown per game in a nine-year career chock-full of spot starts. He is a competent pocket passer, capable of backing up a marquee quarterback on a Super Bowl contender. But that may be undervaluing his abilities, as he still may be one of the best 32 starting quarterback options out there going into next season.
Perhaps a team will offer to hire him as a starting quarterback in an effort to bridge the gap until a newly drafted prospect develops enough for NFL action—a situation that has become old hat for Keenum. If the Bengals cut ties with Andy Dalton, or the Chargers move on from Philip Rivers, Keenum’s 14,000-plus career passing yards in limited action may be an attractive proposition.
However, arguably ahead of former Houston Cougars‘ quarterback Keenum, other established backup quarterbacks, such as New Orleans’ Teddy Bridgewater, or Carolina’s Kyle Allen, have accomplished enough in limited time this season to wind up starters themselves—perhaps before Keenum’s agent would ever receive a phone call.
In the meantime, while a Joe Burrow, or a Tua Tagovailoa, learns the ropes, a seasoned backup quarterback might surprise everyone, especially if surrounded by above average talent—like Keenum enjoyed on an NFC Championship Game-bound Vikings squad in 2018. Like the flu, year after year, the 31-year-old Keenum just doesn’t go away. Conversely, as the biggest surprise of all—he could just retire.