Vikings Folk Hero Ruled Out for 2024 Season

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) enters the sphere previous cheerleaders previous to the sport towards the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities

2017. The Vikings clinch a first-round bye within the remaining week of the common season. Every week later, the group watched the Saints beat the Panthers on their day without work. Drew Brees and Sean Payton would come to the Twin Cities eight years after the Vikings misplaced in heartbreaking vogue in New Orleans’ front room. In an unlikely matchup, future Corridor of Famer Brees and profession backup Case Keenum can be battling it out.

Vikings Folk Hero Ruled Out for 2024 Season

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings large receiver Stefon Diggs (proper) celebrates with quarterback Case Keenum (left) after the game-winning landing towards the New Orleans Saints throughout the fourth quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff soccer recreation at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports activities

Keenum was an unlikely hero for the 2017 Vikings, a crew stuffed with Professional Bowlers on either side of the sphere. The whole Vikings group wasn’t anticipated to make any noise when Sam Bradford’s infamous knee issues flared up and rookie operating again Dalvin Prepare dinner needed to endure season-ending surgical procedure.

Quick ahead virtually seven years, Keenum has been positioned on season-ending IR by his hometown Houston Texans. He has been coping with a foot harm.

Houston’s GM Nick Caserio said in regards to the veteran:

His management, his toughness, his intelligence. It’s unlucky that he’s not going to have the ability to play soccer this yr. Hopefully, he’s across the crew and across the constructing. He might be an asset to the crew, to that room. Numerous respect and appreciation for Case, what he’s performed not solely over the past yr or so or yr and alter, however over the course of his profession.

You’re speaking a few man that went undrafted that’s mainly made it 12, 13 years, no matter it’s been. So, it’s a credit score to him. It’s unlucky, tough state of affairs. I’m positive there’s quite a lot of emotion concerned. I don’t wish to converse for him, however so far as what he does transferring ahead, finally that’s going to be his alternative. I feel no matter he decides to do, he’s going to be actually good at it.

Nick Caserio

The manager was requested a few potential retirement and a future in teaching. Keenum is 36 and within the remaining season of his two-year contract with the Texans, the crew that signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and gave him his first beginning expertise in 2013.

Jan 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer waves to the gang after the sport towards the Chicago Bears at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities

Wanting again at 2017, Mike Zimmer, Vikings head coach in his fourth season, had fashioned an unbeatable protection. His unit featured three glorious cross rushers: Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, and Danielle Hunter; a dominant nostril deal with in Linval Joseph; a shutdown cornerback in Xavier Rhodes; security Harrison Smith in his prime; and the linebacker duo Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr.

The offense simply needed to be dependable below the steering of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur; scoring 21 factors normally acquired the job performed. On that facet of the ball, Keenum might throw to Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, an rising elite large receiver duo, and Kyle Rudolph was roaming in the course of the sphere. Behind Prepare dinner, the Vikings employed Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray, who fashioned a surprisingly dynamic tandem.

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) palms the ball off to operating again Jerick McKinnon (21) within the fourth quarter towards the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities

Keenum performed an underwhelming 2017 preseason, and the primary few video games in reduction of Bradford have been uninspiring, main the crew to a 2-2 report. It clicked for him and your entire group within the second half of the season, and he completed the yr with over 3,500 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and solely seven interceptions regardless of his tendency to take dangers with the ball.

The 13-3 franchise headed to the playoffs after a one-season absence. A dominant first half versus the Saints was countered with a foul second half, and HOF quarterback Brees torched the protection, outscoring the Vikings 24-6, taking a one-point lead with solely seconds to go.

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum reacts after defeating the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities

What then adopted was complete pandemonium. Keenum hit Diggs for a 19-yard achieve, and the Vikes used their remaining timeout, however solely 18 seconds remained on the clock. The QB fired incomplete on first and second down, leaving ten seconds to get into subject objective vary.

The following play gained’t ever be forgotten in NFL historical past, and each Vikings fan nonetheless is aware of precisely what he was doing and feeling in that second. To cite play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, “Keenum, Diggs, sideline, touchdown. Unbelievable. The Vikings win it.” A blown deal with on Diggs by security Marcus Williams allowed Diggs to run into the endzone. Recreation over.

After the chaos on the sphere was resolved, the Vikings needed to try the purpose after attempt. That rule was modified proper after the sport. Keenum trotted out in disbelief, performing the Skol Chant with your entire crowd, which really felt like an “after years of journeyman duties, this is my new home” second.

Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (middle) throws the game-winning cross within the fourth quarter towards the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities

A disastrous championship recreation adopted, and the Vikings would transfer on in free company, buying Kirk Cousins, a superior gifted quarterback. The observe information of the 2 passers since 2018 fairly clearly favor Cousins, though it has finally not led to a lot crew success.

Keenum turned the starter for the Broncos in 2018, then began eight contests for Washington’s OC Kevin O’Connell in 2019, and he accepted backup duties in Cleveland for two seasons. A stint in Buffalo in 2022 was adopted by two years in Houston, the place his NFL journey began. He additionally performed faculty ball in Houston and continues to be holding the all-time passing yards and touchdowns information.

In 11 NFL seasons and with seven NFL groups, Keenum began 66 of the 80 video games he appeared in, throwing for 15,175 yards, 79 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions. Not dangerous for an undrafted profession backup.

If there was a backup Corridor of Fame, Keenum definitely had a great shot at making it. His best hour got here as Minnesota’s chief in 2017, and he can be unforgotten within the Twin Cities.

Editor’s Observe: Data from Pro Football Reference helped with this text.

Janik Eckardt is a soccer fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings turned his favourite crew regardless of their quarterback on the time, Christian Ponder. He’s a strolling soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Traditional rock over different genres. Comply with him on Twitter in case you just like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt