Quarterback Case Keenum is back with Kevin Stefanski, just a few years removed from the veteran signal-caller's career-best season that took the Vikings to the doorstep of the Super Bowl.
Keenum on Tuesday signed a three-year deal with the Browns, giving the team a reliable, eight-year veteran with 62 starts behind starter Baker Mayfield.
"Case has been a backup in this league, he's been a starter in this league. He understands as a backup how it's your job to support the starter and be ready to play in a moment's notice," Stefanski said. "Bottom line is we're adding a really smart, tough football player in that room."
Keenum comes to Cleveland after one season in Washington, where he started eight games and finished with 1,707 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Browns are Keenum's fourth team in as many seasons.
Keenum's best season was 2017 in Minnesota, when he worked closely with Stefanski, who was the team's quarterbacks coach, and started 14 games for the NFC North champion Vikings. He completed a career-best 67 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The Vikings went 13-3 and defeated the Saints in the NFC Divisional Round thanks to Keenum's miraculous, 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired.
"Coach Stefanski, I can't say enough good things about him. I love him to death. Great friend, his family is incredible," Keenum said. "I'm really, really excited he's got an opportunity to go and lead an organization as great as the Cleveland Browns. It will be his first shot as a head coach and I'm excited to be a part of what he's going to build there."
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)
After his memorable season in Minnesota, Keenum signed with the Broncos in 2018 and started all 16 games, completing 62 percent of his passes for a career-high 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Keenum threw for a whopping 19,217 yards during a memorable career at the University of Houston, including three separate seasons of more than 5,000 through the air. He entered the NFL in 2012 as an undrafted free agent with the Texans. He started 10 games over three seasons in Houston before joining the Rams for the 2015-16 seasons. Keenum started 14 games over two seasons, throwing for a combined 3,029 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
"I think Case is somebody that's seen it all and been through it all in his time as an NFL quarterback," Stefanski said. "I think the experiences he brings can be great for our team as a whole. I think he knows this system having played in it under coach (Gary) Kubiak when he broke into the league in Houston and obviously I have experience coaching him with the Vikings. I'm really excited about bringing Case the person into this group. He's the son of a football coach, he's a grinder, he's a gym rat, so I think he'll fit perfectly into the mentality we're trying to build."
Keenum joins a Browns quarterbacks room that is led by Mayfield, a captain in 2019 who enters his third season as the team's starter, and Garrett Gilbert. Drew Stanton, a longtime veteran who was with the team in 2018-19, is a free agent.
"Baker reached out as soon as the news broke, which really meant a lot to me," Keenum said. "I've got a lot of respect for him for what he's done on the field and off the field, too. First and foremost, I know my role coming in. That's another great positive for me. I'm going to be ready to play. I feel like I've played at a high level for the last three years."
