The Houston Texans have a few noticeable changes in the quarterback room. Drafting Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud number two overall a few weeks ago garnered the most national attention.
The first quarterback they added to the room has been familiar with the organization for years. For the third time in his career, the Houston Texans signed former Texan and University of Houston Cougar, Case Keenum on May 18th. The Texans have proven this offseason that they are willing to do everything possible to support their new face of the franchise, which is just another shining beacon of hope for the 2023 season.
Keenum has had a busy career since signing with Houston as an undrafted free agent in 2012, having played for seven NFL franchises. He is most known for his heroics with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, where he played in 15 games, completing 67.7% of his passes for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns. In his lone season in Minnesota, Keenum led the Vikings to an 11-3 record. His time with Minnesota ended most famously with the Minnesota Miracle, defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-24 on a last-second hail Mary to Stefon Diggs in the playoffs. The 35-year-old Keenum is at the twilight of his journeyman career but hopefully shouldn't have to travel too far when he retires.
The Keenum signing was an under-the-radar move, but he will have an impact on the young signal caller, more so than any other free agent signing by the Texans. I am not alone in this thinking either, as Yahoo Sports ranked the Keenum signing as the tenth best QB move of the offseason. We will break down Keenum's credentials, effectiveness as a mentor, and how Keenum's unique experiences make him the greatest asset to C.J. Stroud.
Keenum offers an array of experience to teach from.
Keenum is joining Houston with the expectation of being a backup and mentor to new franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Houston native isn't coming in to compete with Stroud but to form Stroud. Sure, Keenum himself hasn't had the most illustrious career, but he has the knowledge to offer from his experiences in the NFL.
The NFL doesn't typically see undrafted free-agent quarterbacks go on to start 64 games in their careers. Keenum knows what hard work, study habits, and adaptability look like at the professional level. All traits that rookies have steep learning curves. Those traits also made him a team captain three times.
The former Cougar hasn't stuck in the NFL off of luck. He played in 74 games but was trusted to start in another 64 due to his knowledge of the offense he was in, making correct decisions, and his ability to trust his playmakers. Keenum has had to absorb ten different playbooks in his NFL career. Despite the constant turnover, Keenum managed to only have two seasons with double-digit turnovers to his name. Time and time again, he made the right decision and operated within the offense to distribute the ball to the best option.
When Keenum was trusted to start, the number one options on the offense were heavily targeted by him. He didn't try to get too cute; he made the right decisions, and his offense didn't falter with him behind center. Keenum doesn't possess an elite arm, his size leaves a lot to be desired, and he isn't physically gifted. These failings are easy for defenses to target throughout a season like his 2018 year in Denver, where he led the team to a measly six-win year. However, that team lacked the talent he had the previous season when he took the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship game.
Keenum’s credentials line up with mentoring Stroud.
Teams that trusted Keenum to be 'the guy' were left disappointed. But teams who have asked him to help back up and form young guys have seen great results. There's tons of evidence on this, too.
In 2020, Keenum was signed by the Cleveland Browns to back up then-third-year quarterback Baker Mayfield. The former number-one overall pick was coming off a career-worst 21-interception, which saw him finish with a career-worst QB rating of 78.8. Mayfield wasn't known as a good decision-maker or a well-versed distributor of the football. Fast forward to the end of the year, and Mayfield finished with a 95.7 QBR, 31 touchdowns to only nine interceptions. It remains his best season as a pro.
Yes, it was then new head coach Kevin Stefanski's first year in Cleveland, but he is still there, and Mayfield is not. Stefanski couldn't get the best out of Mayfield after that season. In his first season with Keenum, he showed traits we have not seen since. Skills such as quick decision-making, distributing the ball to safe places, and taking what the defense gave Mayfield were all things he learned from Keenum.
I'm not saying Mayfield's career year can only be attributed to Keenum being his backup. I'm just affirming the narrative that Keenum's best asset is his mental game and how he has been a huge aid to young quarterbacks in his career. I imagine the veteran was constantly analyzing defenses and offering help during games that led to mid-game adjustments for Mayfield or avoided late-game turnovers that have plagued him since Keenum left.
His background in a Shanahan offense can aid Stroud's development.
Of his ten NFL seasons, Case Keenum has spent seven of them in a Shanahan-style offense. Some have wondered if C.J. Stroud would have a steep learning curve as a rookie due to the complexity of the offensive scheme, but that's precisely where Keenum comes in.
Keenum has played for Kyle Shanahan during his time with the Texans and then for his coaching disciples during his tenures with the Rams and Browns. Viewers may see an offense that has many similar plays in succession that are dressed up differently. The offense is known to have a steep learning curve in year one; however, once a quarterback has it, it is a lot easier to grow deeper into it as the experience piles up.
The veteran backup can set Stroud up for success because he will instill his teaching habits in the young rookie and walk him through the various intricacies of the offense. It will take time for Stroud to adjust to life in the NFL on all fronts, but Keenum is the right guy to do it. On top of that, who better to instill the richness of what it means to be a Houstonian than Keenum? It takes a Houstonian to welcome in a newcomer hoping to become one.
When the Houston Texans signed Case Keenum back in March, they did so with the intent of him being able to come in and mentor their franchise quarterback. Yes, the Texans have shored up their offensive line and given Stroud some weapons. But of the free agents Houston signed, Keenum could end up being the key signing to Stroud's success and growth as a pro, and he won't need to step onto the field to do so. I'm excited and believe this is a perfect fit for the Texans franchise. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @Texans_TT or @manfreonair