12up Logo

Case Keenum Deserves Honest Chance to Compete With Baker Mayfield for Browns QB Job

By Scott Rogust

The Browns should give Case Keenum an honest chance to compete for the starting quarterback job.
The Browns should give Case Keenum an honest chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns have been named the offseason champions for the second year in a row. They earned the honor last season, and it resulted in...the team missing the playoffs on a 6-10 record, replete with massive regression under center, despite improved weapons. But this year is going to be totally different, right?

Considering the Browns added offensive stalwarts in tight end Austin Hooper and right tackle Jack Conklin, Baker Mayfield has no excuses in 2020.

And if the team wants to try and keep up with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North title race, they must seriously consider giving Case Keenum a shot in the race for the starting QB job.

Last season, Mayfield was expected to make significant leaps in his progression. That wasn't the case, as he actually went backwards. While, yes, a majority of that can be attributed to a horrendous offensive line and nonsesical Freddie Kitchens leadership, Mayfield's decision-making on the whole was downright baffling.

With the Browns hiring ex-Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, it was expected that he would add some of his former players. That materialized quickly when he signed Keenum to a three-year, $18 million contract.

It's important to note that Stefanski served as Keenum's quarterback coach in 2017, where he helped lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game that year. Keenum threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions on an impressive 67.6 completion percentage, and showcased a true clutch gene (i.e. the "Minneapolis Miracle").

Keenum is being given $10 million guaranteed for a reason. He's Stefanski's contingency plan If Mayfield continues to regress. Many will shoot down the idea of a quarterback competition, but Keenum should be given a legitimate shot during the 2020 season -- at least, at the first sign of trouble. The stakes are too high this year not to be willing to make bold decisions if the opportunity presents itself.