Case Keenum An Option For Giants After Joe Flacco Trade, Broncos' QB Unlikely To Replace Eli Manning

The Denver Broncos made the first major move of the 2019 NFL offseason by reportedly agreeing to trade a mid-round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Joe Flacco. The news likely means Case Keenum’s time with the team is done after one year as Denver’s starting quarterback.

Keenum appears almost certain to be released or traded since it’s hard to believe the Broncos will pay him a base salary of $18 million to be a backup. A few teams could be in the market for the veteran, though one possible destination, in particular, stands out.

A reunion between Keenum and New York Giants’ head coach Pat Shurmur could make sense for both sides. Keenum had his only good season as a starter in 2017 when he played for the Minnesota Vikings under Shurmur, who was the offensive coordinator. Keenum actually performed like one of the best quarterbacks in football, and he led Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game.

It’s no secret that the Giants need a starting quarterback for the future. After New York passed on drafting a quarterback in favor of Saquon Barkley a year ago, the team went 5-11 behind another poor season from Eli Manning. Even the Giants have to know at this point that Manning is near the end of his career.

Maybe the Giants will consider bringing in Keenum to be their starter. That possibility would increase if they decide not to draft a quarterback at No.6 overall. This year’s class is considered to be much weaker than the signal callers that entered the league in 2018.

Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is expected to go near the top of the draft. Now that Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has chosen football over baseball, he will be an option for teams in the first round, as well.

Keenum’s odds of playing in New York might directly correlate with their draft plans. If the Giants do decide to take a quarterback in the first round, it would make much more sense for the team to keep Manning instead of replacing him with Keenum.

The Giants tried to convince themselves that Manning could get them to the playoffs last season. It’s hard to believe they still feel the same way, and they are likely to take a quarterback in the 2019 draft.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said he doesn’t think the Flacco trade will push Keenum to New York because he believes the Giants will draft a quarterback. All four mock drafts on nfl.com have the Giants picking a quarterback at sixth overall.

Keenum might give New York a better chance than Manning to win games in the 2019 season, but the organization would likely rather have the two-time Super Bowl MVP mentoring their quarterback of the future.