DENVER — Open and shut Case.
After one season, the Broncos are officially ending the Case Keenum experiment. According to sources, the Broncos are finalizing a trade with Washington, sending Keenum to the Redskins, who have been seeking a starter since Alex Smith's gruesome leg injury placed his career in jeopardy.
Per the outline of the trade, Keenum would rework his contract, leaving the Broncos to pay half of his remaining $7 million guaranteed with Washington absorbing the rest. Including a $500,000 bump for Keenum to restructure, Denver will save $3 million. The Broncos will receive a sixth round pick in 2020, while sending the Redskins a seventh round pick in the same draft, per sources.
No deal can be finalized until March 13.
Keenum faced an uncertain future after the Broncos agreed to acquire Baltimore's Joe Flacco. Flacco will start, which left only a backup role for Keenum. General manager John Elway indicated at the NFL combine last week that he would consider Keenum returning as a backup, but only if there was "a contract adjustment." However, Elway said he would give permission to Keenum's agent to seek a trade.
Washington provides an opportunity for Keenum to rebound after he failed to meet expectations in Denver. The Broncos signed Keenum last year, guaranteeing him $26 million. They were dating, not married, with the sides able to part without huge salary cap consequences. Keenum struggled early, throwing interceptions in his first eight games. He settled down, but by that point the Broncos faced an uphill climb to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.
With the season hanging in the balance, Keenum fizzled at San Francisco and delivered five picks over the final four games, all losses. Keenum finished with 3,890 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and 15 picks, posting a 6-10 record in his one-year audition. NFL Newtork first reported the trade talks.
