Quarterback Case Keenum, whose best season came under the guidance of Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, has signed with the Browns.
Here are five things to know about the Browns' new backup quarterback.
1) The best of Keenum's eight years in the NFL came alongside Stefanski in Minnesota. Keenum began the 2017 season as the Vikings' backup but was thrust into a full-time starting role when Sam Bradford went down with what would become a season-ending injury. After a rocky debut against the Steelers, Keenum rebounded in a big way Week 3 against the Buccaneers, throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant victory. Minnesota would go on to win 11 of its last 12 games, a stretch that included an eight-game winning streak. Keenum finished the regular season with a 67.6 completion percentage (second-best in the NFL), 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He was on the throwing end of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history when he completed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired to send the Vikings to the NFC Championship.
2) Despite Keenum's breakout season, the Vikings opted to go in a different direction at quarterback and signed Kirk Cousins. Still, Keenum was handsomely rewarded for his performance and joined the Broncos as their starter. In his only season as the wire-to-wire starter, Keenum threw for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while leading Denver to a 6-10 finish.
Check out photos of quarterback Case Keenum
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum talks to quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski during an NFL walkthrough practice session at Syon House in Syon Park, south west London, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Cleveland Browns in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum (8) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Redskins 47-16. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Houston quarterback Case Keenum, center, is consoled by teammate Jeff Akeroyd, left, after TCU defeated Houston in the Texas Bowl football game Friday Dec. 28, 2007 in Houston. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum, left, throws over from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith and outside linebacker Lavonte David, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum (8) is pressured by Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath (38) as he throws during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum looks on during the first half in an NFL football preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, right, speaks with quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski while warming up before an NFL football game against Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, in Landover, Md. Chicago won 31-15. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum (8) looks to pass, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum (8) passes against Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) dives in for a touchdown as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Genard Avery (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, left, speaks with quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski while warming up before an NFL football game against Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum talks to quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski during an NFL walkthrough practice session at Syon House in Syon Park, south west London, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Cleveland Browns in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) rolls out to throw against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game, on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) drops back to pass during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws during the NFL regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 in St. Louis. The Rams won, 31-23. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher talks with quarterback Case Keenum, right, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum (7) and wide receiver Jeron Harvey (1) celebrates Keenum's touchdown in the second half against Colorado State in a football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum warms up before a preseason NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum drops back to pass during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
FILE- In this Nov. 22, 2015, file photo, St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) celebrates running back Todd Gurley (30) touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. The Detroit Lions will face the Rams on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum in action against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, right, talks with rookie quarterback Case Keenum (7) in the fourth quarter an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, in Houston. The Texans beat the 49ers 20-9. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) looks on from the sidelines during a week 7 NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, October 20, 2013. The Chiefs defeated the Texans 17-16. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Houston Texans Case Keenum during the second half of an NFL preseason football game agoinst the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) runs on the playing field in introductions during a week 15 NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, December 17, 2015, in St. Louis. The Rams won 31-23. (Scott Boehm via AP)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) runs onto the field through flames before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Dec. 17, 2015 in St. Louis. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum throws during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Houston's Case Keenum (7), kicker Matt Hogan (46) and Brandon Hartson celebrate a last-second field goal that lifted Houston to a 46-45 victory over Tulsa during an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)
Houston quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Houston won 30-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum scrambles with Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner defending in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum (7) looks to throw the ball downfield during NFL organized team activities at the Methodist Training Center on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium on Sunday December 1, 2013 in Houston, Texas. New England won 34-31. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Houston quarterback Case Keenum (7) is introduced before an NCAA college football game against SMU Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston quarterback Case Keenum (7) looks to pass under pressure from UCLA's Tony Dye (6) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, in Houston. Houston defeated UCLA 38-34. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2008, file photo, Houston quarterback Case Keenum passes during the third quarter of their NCAA college football game against Tulane in Houston. The Cougars are led by Case Keenum, who threw for 5,020 yards and 44 touchdowns last season. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel, File)
UTEP defensive lineman Jason Boyce, right, pressures Houston quarterback Case Keenum during the third quarter of their college football game Saturday Oct. 27, 2007 in El Paso, Texas. Keenum escaped to complete a pass. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)
Houston's quarterback Case Keenum (7) runs with the ball past East Carolina's Chris Mattocks (19) during the second half of the NCAA college football Conference USA championship game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. East Carolina won 38-32. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)
Houston quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston Texans' Case Keenum celebrates teammate Andre Johnson's touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) throws against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 9, 20013, in Minneapolis. (APPhoto/Andy King)
3) Keenum comes to Cleveland after a season in Washington that saw him begin and end the year as the starter, but also included a long stretch in which he served as the backup to rookie Dwayne Haskins. He threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener and delivered the Redskins their first of three wins on the season with two touchdowns over the Dolphins on his way to finishing the year 160-of-247 for 1,707 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
4) Keenum has been with four teams in as many seasons and six overall since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012. His big break came in 2013, when he started eight games one year after spending the entire season on the practice squad. Texans coach Gary Kubiak inserted Keenum into the starting role -- even though he was the team's third-string option -- after Matt Schaub went down with a season-ending injury. He was 15-of-25 for 271 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut, which just barely ended in a loss to the Chiefs. He finished the year with a 54.2 completion percentage, 1,760 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
5) Keenum's decorated college career at the University of Houston was a lengthy one. After tearing his ACL three games into his redshirt senior season, Keenum was granted a sixth year of eligibility. He made the most of it, and then some. In a win over Rice, Keenum threw for nine touchdown passes to set the NCAA record for most touchdown passes in NCAA history, a number that would grow to 155 by the time he was done. His 19,217 career passing yards are also a record. Keenum cleared 5,000 yards in three separate seasons with the Cougars.
