Case Keenum On Cusp of Locking Up Comeback Player Award
By Erik Lambert
One of the most celebrated NFL awards each year is the Comeback Player of the Year honor, and quarterback Case Keenum is close to claiming it.
Why is it such a big deal? The comeback player honor represents those who endured a downturn in their careers, often due to poor play or injury, only to rise up again to show everybody they can still play at the pro level. Last year that award went to Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers. Not a surprise since he’d torn his ACL in 2015 only to return last season and put up over 1,000 yards. It seems that the NFC North may yet again maintain a grip on it.
This time it’s Keenum who should end up getting it. Few have had such an up-and-down career like him. From 2013 through 2015 he showed considerable progress as a passer in stints with the Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams. It got to a point where some felt he could end up being a starter long-term. Unfortunately he struggled badly in 2016 on what was a bad Rams offense. It looked like that was the end of his best opportunity.
Keenum got new life thanks to good fortune and good coaching
When he signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, it was as a backup to Sam Bradford and the returning Teddy Bridgewater. However, the winds of fortune soon shifted in his direction. Bradford suffered a knee injury that sidelined him. Bridgewater still wasn’t healthy, so Keenum was elevated to the starting job out of necessity. Together with the ascension of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, things have gone better than ever for him.
The Vikings are 9-2 on the season, their best start since 2009. Keenum, of all people, is leading the way. He’s thrown for 2,476 yards, 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 103 yards and another touchdown. Everything is clicking for that offense and some are wondering if Keenum might be able to take them the distance come this January. The NFC North is all but locked up with six games left to play.
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After how things went for him in 2016, this is an amazing turnaround that could land him a large contract come 2018. Whether it’s from the Vikings will depend on how he’s able to finish and what they have planned for Bradford and Bridgewater.