Case Keenum

Casey Austin Keenum Bio

Casey Austin Keenum is an American professional football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars, where he became the NCAA’s all-time leader in total passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Keenum has become known as a journeyman quarterback, having played for nine different NFL teams. His most celebrated season came with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, when he led the team to a 13-3 record and the NFC Championship game, capped by the iconic Minneapolis Miracle playoff victory.

Early Life and Background

Keenum was born on February 17, 1988, in Brownwood, Texas. He spent part of his childhood in Alpine, Texas, before his family settled in Abilene, Texas. His father, Steve Keenum, served as an offensive lineman at McMurry University and later became head football coach and athletic director at the school. The elder Keenum was known for an aggressive passing offensive strategy and also held coaching positions at Sul Ross State, Tarleton State, and Hardin-Simmons. This football family environment shaped Keenum’s early exposure to the sport.

Keenum attended Wylie High School in Abilene, Texas, where he played football for the Bulldogs. During his high school career, he passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns while rushing for 41 touchdowns and 2,000 yards. He started 42 games at quarterback and posted a career record of 31-11. In 2004, Keenum led Wylie to a Texas Class 3A Division I Championship with a 17-14 victory over Cuero High School. Beyond football, he earned varsity letters in basketball and track, demonstrating his athletic versatility. He received scholarship offers from several universities but chose Houston as his only FBS-level offer over FCS opportunities at Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin.

Path to Professional Football

Keenum began his college career at the University of Houston in 2006 but redshirted his freshman season as Kevin Kolb held the starting quarterback position. When Kolb departed for the NFL, Keenum entered a quarterback competition with Blake Joseph heading into the 2007 season. He earned the starting job due to his outstanding pocket presence and efficient passing, finishing his freshman year with 2,259 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His performance earned him Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors, marking the beginning of his record-setting college career.

The 2008 season saw Keenum emerge as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. He became only the second player in Houston history to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season, led the nation in total offense, and finished second nationally in passing yards behind Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell. He earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Year recognition and led Houston to its first bowl victory since 1980. His 2009 campaign brought even greater success, as he threw for over 5,800 yards and 48 total touchdowns while helping Houston upset several nationally ranked opponents. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting that season.

Casey Austin Keenum Career

Houston Texans (2012-2014)

Despite his prolific collegiate career, Keenum went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft and signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, developing behind established quarterbacks. In 2013, he earned a spot on the Texans’ 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback behind Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates. When Schaub suffered an injury in Week 7, Keenum was named the starter for the matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. In his debut, he threw for 271 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 17-16 loss, recording the highest passer rating by a Texans quarterback that season. Two weeks later against the Indianapolis Colts, he passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, Keenum finished the 2013 season with 1,760 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions in eight starts. He was waived by the Texans in August 2014 to make room for Ryan Mallett.

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2014-2016)

Keenum was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Rams in September 2014 but was waived later that season and re-signed to the practice squad. He returned to Houston mid-season to serve as a backup after Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his leg, earning his first NFL win as a starter against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. In March 2015, the Rams traded for Keenum, and after Nick Foles struggled, Keenum was named the starting quarterback midway through the 2015 season. During a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he achieved a perfect 158.0 passer rating, setting a Rams franchise record in the final home game in St. Louis history. The 31-23 victory highlighted his efficiency, as he went 14 of 17 for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

When the Rams relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, Keenum entered training camp as the starting quarterback. He led the team to three straight victories to open the season but was benched in Week 11 in favor of Jared Goff, whom the Rams had drafted first overall. Keenum finished the 2016 season with 2,201 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in nine starts.

Minnesota Vikings (2017)

Keenum signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2017 and became the starter after Sam Bradford suffered a season-opening injury. He delivered a career-defining season, passing for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 13-3 record and the NFC North title. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for November and was ranked 51st in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 by his peers. In the Divisional Round playoffs against the New Orleans Saints, Keenum threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with 10 seconds remaining, completing a miraculous 29-24 victory known as the Minneapolis Miracle. This play is regarded as one of the most dramatic moments in NFL playoff history. The Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Denver Broncos (2018)

Following his breakthrough season, Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Denver Broncos in March 2018, reuniting with head coach Vance Joseph and senior advisor Gary Kubiak. He started all 16 games and recorded a career-high 3,890 passing yards along with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, though the Broncos finished 6-10. Notable performances included a 377-yard game against the New York Jets and a 322-yard performance against his former team, the Rams.

Washington Redskins (2019)

In March 2019, the Broncos traded Keenum to the Washington Redskins. He started the season strong with a 380-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Philadelphia Eagles but was eventually replaced as the starter by rookie Dwayne Haskins. Keenum finished the season with 1,707 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 games.

Cleveland Browns (2020-2021)

Keenum signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in March 2020, serving primarily as Baker Mayfield’s backup. He made his first start since 2019 in Week 7 of the 2021 season against his former team, the Denver Broncos, completing 21 of 33 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown in a 17-14 victory.

Buffalo Bills (2022)

On March 20, 2022, Keenum was traded to the Buffalo Bills, reuniting him with Stefon Diggs, his partner in the Minneapolis Miracle. He served as Josh Allen’s backup for the season.

Houston Texans Return (2023-2024)

Keenum re-signed with the Houston Texans in March 2023. After spending most of the season as the third-string quarterback behind C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills, he was named starter for Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans when Stroud was concussed. He led the team to a 19-16 overtime victory with 229 passing yards. Keenum was placed on injured reserve in August 2024 with a Lisfranc injury, ending his season before it began.

Chicago Bears (2025-Present)

On April 3, 2025, Keenum signed a one-year contract worth up to $3 million with the Chicago Bears. He was brought in to mentor rookie quarterback Caleb Williams while competing with Tyson Bagent for the backup role. Keenum ultimately began the season as the third-string quarterback behind Williams and Bagent. On March 9, 2026, he signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension with the Bears, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future while continuing his mentorship role.

Driving Style and Strengths

Keenum is recognized for his football intelligence, mobility, and ability to extend plays outside the pocket. His quick decision-making and accuracy on short-to-intermediate routes complement his capacity to make throws on the move. Despite lacking elite arm strength, he compensates with exceptional pocket awareness and a high football IQ that has allowed him to thrive in various offensive systems throughout his journeyman career.

Notable Events and Milestones

The 2017 season with the Minnesota Vikings stands as Keenum’s career-defining chapter. The Minneapolis Miracle against the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 Divisional Round remains one of the most iconic moments in NFL playoff history. With 10 seconds remaining and trailing by one point, Keenum connected with Stefon Diggs on a 61-yard touchdown that propelled the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. This play cemented Keenum’s place in NFL lore and demonstrated his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.

Casey Austin Keenum Career Wins

Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2012 to 2025, Keenum has accumulated significant statistics across multiple franchises. His journeyman career has seen him start games with nine different teams, demonstrating his durability and adaptability as a professional quarterback.

NFL Highlights

Keenum’s most prolific season came in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings, where he started 14 games and led the team to a 13-3 record and the NFC North championship. His career totals include 15,175 passing yards, 79 touchdowns, and a 62.3% completion rate. The 2017 season also represents his highest single-season passing yards (3,547) and touchdown total (22). His performance in that playoff run, particularly the Minneapolis Miracle, stands as the defining achievement of his professional career. Keenum has also proven capable of winning games when called upon, with notable victories against playoff teams and clutch performances in crucial situations.

College Achievements

Before his NFL career, Keenum set virtually every significant passing record at the University of Houston. He became the NCAA’s all-time leader in total passing yards (17,454), touchdowns (155), and completions (1,546) during his six-year college career from 2006 to 2011. He is the only quarterback in Division I FBS history to pass for more than 5,000 yards in three separate seasons. His accomplishments earned him numerous awards, including two Sammy Baugh trophies, two C-USA Most Valuable Player honors, and First-team All-American recognition in 2009. The University of Houston retired his number 7 jersey in recognition of his historic career.

Casey Austin Keenum Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Keenum was raised in Brownwood and Abilene, Texas, where his father, Steve Keenum, established a prominent coaching career. Steve Keenum served as an offensive lineman at McMurry University before ascending to head coach and athletic director positions. His coaching philosophy emphasized aggressive passing offenses, and he gained recognition for developing successful programs at multiple institutions. This football heritage provided Casey with unparalleled exposure to the sport from an early age, creating a natural path to his eventual career.

Personal Life

Keenum is married to Kimberly Keenum, and together they have a son named Kyler. Beyond football, Keenum has pursued diverse interests. In 2018, he authored the book Playing for More with Andrew Perloff. He is a partner at Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas, demonstrating his entrepreneurial ventures outside of athletics. Keenum is also a supporter of Compassion International and their Fill the Stadium initiative. He has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, describing his spiritual commitment as the most meaningful aspect of his life following the Minneapolis Miracle victory.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter for Keenum as he joined the Chicago Bears organization. Signed to a one-year contract worth up to $3 million in April 2025, his primary role was to provide veteran leadership and mentorship to rising star Caleb Williams, the Bears’ first-round draft pick. Keenum brought a wealth of experience from his 13 NFL seasons and nine different franchises, making him an ideal candidate to guide a young quarterback through the challenges of professional football. His presence in the quarterbacks room offered Williams access to someone who had navigated various offensive systems and experienced both individual triumphs and setbacks at the highest level.

Keenum also competed with Tyson Bagent during training camp for the backup quarterback position. While Bagent ultimately won the primary backup role, Keenum’s value extended beyond his performance on the field. His professionalism, work ethic, and willingness to support his teammates regardless of roster status set a positive example for the entire organization. The Bears’ coaching staff recognized the importance of having someone with Keenum’s experience available, even in a limited capacity.

Following the 2025 season, Keenum demonstrated his continued commitment to the Bears by signing a two-year, $5.5 million extension in March 2026. This contract reflected the organization’s confidence in his ability to continue contributing as a mentor and potential playing opportunity if needed. As the NFL continues to evolve with young quarterbacks taking center stage, Keenum’s career trajectory illustrates the importance of veteran presence in developing the league’s next generation of stars while maintaining a successful professional career spanning more than a decade.