Vikings Fan Favorite Case Keenum Makes Surprise Move to NFL Rival

The Minnesota Vikings are still on the search for a veteran quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy.

They flirted with Aaron Rodgers for several weeks but have tipped their cap to McCarthy moving forward.

Finding the right quarterback who can challenge a young quarterback, be a mentor, be willing to take a step back and still play the game at a high level is a hard balance to strike in a league that demands ultra-competitiveness.

One name that remained in free agency was former Vikings hero Case Keenum -- the orchestrator of the Minneapolis Miracle that brought the Vikings organization to their last NFC title game.

However, this week, Keenum found his new home in the NFL with an NFC North rival.

On April 4, the Chicago Bears announced the signing of Case Keenum to a one-year contract, banking that they have found the ideal mentor for Caleb Williams while the Vikings are still searching.

A backup for the 2017 season, Keenum was thrust into a starting role after the Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater to a devastating leg injury the year before and saw Sam Bradford go down with a knee injury two games into the season.

No matter.

Keenum stepped in and went 11-3 as a starter in the regular season, throwing for 3,547 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. In one of the most prolific finishes in NFL history, Keenum threw for 318 yards in a 29-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC divisional round, 61 of which came on the iconic connection with Stefon Diggs.

The Vikings went on to lose in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Keenum signed a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos the following offseason but has not reached the same heights he had with the Vikings as a journeyman. He last played for the Houston Texans in 2023 but spent last season on injured reserve. 

Keenum figures to be a veteran voice for Williams in his first year under new Bears coach Ben Johnson.