Before the Washington Redskins drafted Dwayne Haskins, their first big quarterback move of 2019 was to trade for Case Keenum. Now, Keenum’s time in Washington is likely over.
In an interview with NBC Sports Washington, Keenum said he didn’t expect to return to the Redskins next year.
“I have no idea. I would say probably not,” Keenum said. “I can’t tell the future though.”
The Redskins acquired Keenum from the Denver Broncos last February and signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, meaning he enters this offseason as a free agent.
New coach Ron Rivera didn’t make any promises about the quarterback position in 2020, but Haskins is the presumed No. 1 going forward.
“What we’re trying to do right now is to develop that plan for his development as we go forward,” Rivera said at his introductory press conference. “I also think there’s a couple good veteran quarterbacks that [will] get some opportunities to play as well.”
That could mean Keenum, Colt McCoy — also a pending free agent — and Alex Smith, who has expressed a desire to return to the field but first must fully recover from his broken fibula and tibia.
Keenum started eight games for Washington, games in which the Redskins went 1-7. Haskins replaced him as the starter in Week 9 against Buffalo, but Keenum also started the season finale at Dallas after Haskins suffered an ankle sprain. The journeyman finished the season with 1707 yards, 11 touchdowns against five interceptions, a 64.8% completion percentage and a passer rating of 91.3.
Keenum, who’s played for five teams in eight seasons in the NFL, believes he can win a starting job somewhere in the league. What if the Redskins did ask him back to “compete” with Haskins again?
“If that’s a possibility, and that’s how it’s going to be, I’m all for competition. I love it,” Keenum told NBC Sports Washington. “But I understand. I’m also a realist. I know what’s going on. It’s a tough situation, but I’m excited wherever I get an opportunity to compete
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.