Cleveland Browns: Five free agent targets for the 2020 offseason

One position that the Cleveland Browns are likely to address this offseason that they hope never sees the field in 2020 is the backup quarterback. If anything happens to Baker Mayfield that causes him to move to the sideline, be it an injury or a subpar level of play, the Browns season is likely lost.

However, if something did happen to Baker, a guy like Case Keenum is the team’s best bet to keep the ship afloat. Especially now that there is an extra playoff spot in each conference, if Cleveland is in the hunt and needs to turn to a backup quarterback, Keenum has shown that he can run this offense and get the job done.

Keenum excelled in a similar offensive system with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. The Vikes went 11-3 under Keenum that season, reaching the NFC Championship Game, just one win from the Super Bowl.

While new Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wasn’t the offensive coordinator at the time, he was the quarterback’s coach and undoubtedly had a hand in the offense and Keenum’s success. A success that could be replicated in Cleveland.

In Stefanski’s zone offense, the run game is the hero. Then the passing game builds off the run game via play action. Keenum excels in play action and is likely a big reason why he was so successful in his season with the Vikes in 2017. He could come in and run this offseason with confidence, and the team may be able to stay afloat should Baker Mayfield leave the field.