It is to no avail that the Jets will need to weigh their options at quarterback this off-season. In many ways, they are fortunate in the scenario they have landed in. Free agency may present some top-tier quarterback talent, and the Jets should have enough money to arouse each and every single option. The NFL Draft is also perceived to be quite quarterback friendly with a projected 4-5 pass-makers being first round compatible.
So while the Jets fight and claw their way through free agency, and measure out their next gamble in the draft, it only seems right to speculate on what could be. Many would be pleased with the Jets making a push for Kirk Cousins, who is seen to be the most tempting option available on the market. And while the Jets could (and should) make a run for him, their competition in that realm will be tough to beat. It will be important for the Jets to keep their share of side-negotiations ongoing, rather than settle for someone less prominent when/if Cousins signs elsewhere.
Earlier in the season, many would expect Case Keenum to be one of those fall back options. His NFL career doesn’t make you blink twice, and any team putting money on his plate would likely be one that lost out on someone like Cousins. But fast forward to the concluding moments of the 2017-18 season, and it’s easy to see that Keenum has skyrocketed his worth. He’s led the once turmoil-tied Vikings to the NFC Championship game and is now looking more competent than ever.
https://twitter.com/FPC_Jets/status/952717374498762752
The Case for Keenum
The Vikings will face a Jet-like dilemma come the off-season. Three quarterbacks on their current roster in Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater are all expected to be free agents. That being said, the likelihood of the Vikings holding onto them all is slim to none. They’ll need to be weighing their options similarly to that of the Jets.
However, the Vikings are a team still well and alive. A Super Bowl may almost certainly solidify Keenum as the future option in Minnesota, but anything short of that leaves the door wide open.
Using some questionable preconception, let’s assume Keenum hits the market with a sign that reads, “Someone pay me.” The Vikings, more anxious to see what they have in Bridgewater, let Keenum walk the plank. Would this hypothetical situation be a blessing in disguise for the Jets?
It certainly could be. With higher stakes and competition engulfed in the race for Kirk Cousins, the Jets could quietly find someone with a similar caliber in Keenum. Just look at their career and season numbers:
Case Keenum:
Kirk Cousins:
Obviously, there’s some major differences between the two. Keenum has never started a full season at quarterback, and his numbers previous to 2017 can be quite disturbing. But the most interesting aspect may be how similar their 2017 campaigns were. The two finished with nearly identical completion, touchdown and interception percentages.
Now that’s not to say that they would be equal options for the Jets’ future plans. In all reality, no one knows who would be. Some would argue Cousins for his consistency and athleticism presented year after year, while others could be swayed to Keenum for his most recent success.
And if stats cannot be the ultimate deciding factor, could money? Cousins will be looking to sign one of the highest contracts for a 30-year old quarterback ever. The Jets could pay him, but how much would that affect other free agent negotiations?
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jets
by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
Keenum’s asking price will be slightly higher than most expect as well. However, his reduced price compared to that of Cousins could give the Jets just a little more wiggle room in their free agent scavenger hunt.
Could the Case be a Fluke?
The most surprising aspect of Keenum’s recent success is just that. Why is he having so much success now, six years into his NFL career?
Keenum’s road to success was opened through the Vikings’ recent string of suffering. The team had lost both Bridgewater and Bradford to injury, and were left with nothing but the remains of a journeyman. Luckily for Minnesota, the team was loaded with talent, and that made Keenum into an instant star.
Hell, it even made Bradford look like a star during his time before injury. And for some reason there continues to be this looming thought that anyone could be thrown in at QB, and they’d find immediate success in Minnesota.
What a difference a year makes:
From 2014-2016, Nick Foles, Case Keenum, and Blake Bortles ranked in the Bottom 5 in passer rating as a starter among 36 QBs with 15+ starts in that span.
All 3 will start in a conference championship game this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/4J7ffYPgUn
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 16, 2018
It becomes more of a reality with the Vikings’ lack of permanence in their star. Earlier in the year, the team was inconsistent about naming a starter despite Keenum’s up and coming. Now, with the possibility that they let him walk, it becomes clear that Minnesota may not be so high on Keenum themselves. They likely realize they have two others who have seen similar success in the not-so-distant past. And heck, those guys were the starters to begin with.
All of this speculation makes Keenum a risky grab in free agency. No doubt someone will sign him to the contract that he demands, but it begs the question as to whether he has been a product of the team, or vice versa.
Case Closed (Not Really)
Widening the scope beyond the needs of the Jets, it is evident that many teams on the cusp of playoff contention will be in the hunt for a QB this off-season.
Keenum, like Cousins, will now be at the front of the line for a hefty payday. After a career of inept performance, his recent stardom could propel him to the vault of many NFL teams.
It will be impossible to know how Keenum could perform elsewhere until, well, he gets there. However, that stands true for the many other quarterbacks hitting the free agent market. Time and time again, teams come to realize that these once wielding quarterbacks are truly only a product of a talented team. The Jets have witnessed this first hand with the great Brett Favre.
However, the Jets certainly have the potential to be a team submerged in talent. With a defense on the rise, and an offensive guaranteed to be redefined this off-season, Keenum’s one time hoorah could be multiplied. His career and playoff experience could also give the Jets some further stability when/if they draft a quarterback with the 6th overall pick.
– Kyle Hirshkind is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @kylehirshkind Follow @FPC_Jets
-
Ep 149: Remembering Bud Grant With Former Vikings RB Chuck Foremanby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 148: Hall of Fame Voter John McClain Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Hall of Fame voter John McClain of Gallery Sports returns to the show to […]
-
Inside Bryce Young's Pro Day & his meetings with the Carolina Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Chris takes you inside Bryce Young's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day & his meeting with the Panthersby LandryFootball.com on March 24, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Chris takes you inside CJ Stroud's Pro Day at Ohio State as well as his […]
-
Ep 278: The Trade Marchby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 8:02 pm
-
Ep 277: Free Agency March Madnessby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:39 am
-
Ep 276: Franchise Tag 2023by Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2023 at 8:28 pm
-
Ep 275: Dynasty Dispersal Draftby Full Press Coverage on March 4, 2023 at 2:06 pm
-
Episode 3.5: "Free Agent Frenzy" w/ Pete Hailey from NBC Sports Washington and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 8:40 pm
George Carmi hosts NBC Sports Washington's Pete Hailey and Doug McCray on […]
-
Season 3.4: "Winds of Change" with Rick Snider of 106.7 The Fan and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2023 at 10:33 pm
George Carmi hosts Rick Snider from 106.7 The Fan to discuss the latest […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 5:05 pm
The Isles got help yesterday in a massive way with the Pens and Panthers […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Recap the loss to Nashville and look at the playoff picture. Learn more […]
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
Ian and John discuss the Boston Bruins dominance and discuss whether or […]
-
3/22 - World Baseball Classic Was A Classic; Connor McDavid on Hockey Tournamentby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the success of the World Baseball Classic and debate […]
-
3/21 - Aaron Rodgers Latest, World Baseball Classic Talkby Full Press Coverage on March 21, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ian and John talk more Aaron Rodgers and the excitement around the World […]
-
3/20 - Aaron Rodgers, Brandin Cooks, Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the latest with Aaron Rodgers, the Brandin Cooks […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jetsby Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am
-
3/24 - Bruins Approaching Record; OBJ To the New York Jets?by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:07 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, March 24thby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Lakersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Ep. 230 - NBA Playoff Race Could Come Down To Injuriesby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 9:42 pm
-
Suns at Kingsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Bulls at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Sixers at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Bucks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on March 24, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Ep. 161: Emporia State University Head Football Coach Garin Higginsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2023 at 6:43 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Revolution Reviewby Boot 2 The Face on March 10, 2023 at 12:42 am
AEW Revolution Review, Power Rankings, B2TF of the Week, and […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 215by Boot 2 The Face on March 2, 2023 at 12:50 am
We are back talking Kenny Omega's importance to AEW. Also, we break down […]