Case Keenum Bio
Casey Austin Keenum is an American professional football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 17, 1988, in Brownwood, Texas, Keenum built a record-setting career with the Houston Cougars before becoming one of the league’s most recognizable journeyman quarterbacks. Across stops with eight NFL franchises, he has earned a reputation for resilience, leadership in the locker room, and a steady presence as both a starter and a mentor. His most iconic professional moment came in 2017, when he guided the Minnesota Vikings to a last-second playoff win now known as the Minneapolis Miracle.
Early Life and Background
Casey Austin Keenum was born in Brownwood, Texas, and spent part of his childhood in Alpine, Texas, before his family settled in Abilene, Texas. He is the son of Steve Keenum, a former offensive lineman who went on to coach football at several Texas schools, including stints as head coach at McMurry University and Sul Ross State. Growing up around the sport, Keenum developed his arm strength and football IQ in a household where offensive strategy and fundamentals were everyday topics.
He attended Wylie High School in Abilene, where he starred at quarterback for the Bulldogs. Over his high school career, he passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns while adding 2,000 rushing yards and 41 scores on the ground, posting a 31–11 record across 42 starts. In 2004, he led Wylie to a 17–14 victory over Cuero High School in the Texas Class 3A Division I Championship. He also earned varsity letters in basketball and track, showcasing the athleticism that would later complement his passing game.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Keenum received walk-on offers from Baylor, Missouri, North Texas, and UTEP, but the University of Houston was the only FBS program to extend him a scholarship. Several FCS schools, including Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin, also pursued him. He chose Houston, where he would spend the next six seasons rewriting the NCAA record book.
As a true freshman in 2006, Keenum redshirted behind senior Kevin Kolb, who led Houston to a Conference USA championship before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. The following fall, Keenum won a hard-fought competition to become the Cougars’ full-time starter. He immediately earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors, setting the stage for one of the most prolific careers in college football history.
Case Keenum Career
Early Career (2006–2008)
After his redshirt year, Keenum took over as Houston’s starting quarterback in 2007 and quickly proved he belonged. He started seven of thirteen games, finishing with 2,259 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year. His efficient pocket presence and accurate passing earned him the full-time job heading into his sophomore campaign.
In 2008, Keenum became only the second player in school history to surpass 5,000 passing yards in a single season. He led the nation in total offense and finished as the national runner-up in passing yards behind Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell. Houston won its first bowl game since 1980, defeating Air Force, and Keenum earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Houston Cougars Breakthrough (2009–2011)
Keenum’s junior season in 2009 cemented his status as a college football star. He threw for over 5,800 total offensive yards and 48 touchdowns, leading Houston to a 10–4 record and upsets of then-#5 Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Mississippi State. He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting, was named Conference USA Most Valuable Player, and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation’s top passer. He was also recognized as a First-team All-American.
After a torn ACL cut short his 2010 campaign, the NCAA granted Keenum a sixth year of eligibility for 2011. He responded with a record-breaking senior season, setting the all-time NCAA Division I passing touchdowns record, surpassing Timmy Chang’s career passing yards mark, and setting the career completions record. He was again named Conference USA MVP and Sammy Baugh Trophy winner, finishing seventh in Heisman voting. Houston finished 12–1 after a TicketCity Bowl victory over Penn State, and Keenum’s No. 7 jersey was later retired by the program.
Houston Texans Era (2012–2013)
Despite his decorated college career, Keenum went undrafted in 2012 and signed with his hometown Houston Texans, spending his rookie year on the practice squad. In 2013, he was promoted to the active roster and ultimately started eight games after injuries thrust him into action. He threw for 1,760 yards and nine touchdowns, including his first career NFL touchdown, a 29-yard strike to DeAndre Hopkins against the Kansas City Chiefs. He posted a 110.6 passer rating in that debut, the highest by a Texans quarterback that season.
St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams Era (2014–2016)
After brief stints with the St. Louis Rams and a return to Houston, Keenum was traded to the Rams in March 2015. He took over as the starting quarterback midway through the season and authored a near-perfect game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning a 158.0 passer rating in the final home game in St. Louis Rams history. He finished 2015 with 828 yards and four touchdowns in six games.
In 2016, Keenum opened the season as the Rams’ starter after the franchise relocated to Los Angeles. He set a team record with 19 consecutive completions against the Detroit Lions but was later benched in favor of rookie Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick. He finished the year with 2,201 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 10 games.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2017)
Keenum signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2017 and stepped into the starting role after Sam Bradford was injured. He delivered a career year, throwing for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 13–3 regular season and an NFC North title. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November and ranked 51st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
His defining moment came in the Divisional Round, when he threw a pass to Stefon Diggs that turned into a 61-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired, the play now known as the Minneapolis Miracle. The victory sent the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game, where they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles and Keenum’s close friend and former Rams teammate Nick Foles.
Denver Broncos Era (2018)
Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Denver Broncos in March 2018, reuniting with head coach Vance Joseph and senior personnel advisor Gary Kubiak. He started all 16 games, setting a career high with 3,890 passing yards along with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Denver finished 6–10, and Keenum entered free agency the following offseason.
Washington Redskins Era (2019)
Traded to the Washington Redskins in March 2019, Keenum posted a career-high 380 passing yards in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He started eight games overall, finishing with 1,707 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions before losing the starting job to rookie Dwayne Haskins.
Cleveland Browns Era (2020–2021)
Keenum signed a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns in March 2020 and served primarily as Baker Mayfield’s backup. He made his debut in relief in 2020 and earned his first start in nearly two years in October 2021, leading the Browns to a 17–14 win over the Denver Broncos. He started the season finale as well, finishing the year with two touchdown passes against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022)
In March 2022, Keenum was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he reunited with Stefon Diggs, his teammate from the Minneapolis Miracle play. He served as a veteran backup in the Buffalo quarterback room.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
Keenum signed a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Chicago Bears in April 2025, joining the team as a mentor to young starter Caleb Williams and competing with Tyson Bagent for the backup role. He ultimately served as the third-string quarterback during the 2025 season, providing veteran leadership in the quarterback room. On March 9, 2026, he signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension to remain with the Bears.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond the Minneapolis Miracle, Keenum authored the book Playing for More with Andrew Perloff in 2018, reflecting on his faith and journey through professional football. He also became part-owner of Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas, in 2020 and is an active supporter of Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium initiative. He is widely regarded as one of the most well-traveled quarterbacks in NFL history, having played for eight different teams across seven divisions.
Case Keenum Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Keenum’s football roots run deep. His father, Steve Keenum, played offensive line in college and went on to a long coaching career, including head coaching stops at McMurry University and Sul Ross State. Steve also served as offensive coordinator at Tarleton State and offensive line coach at Hardin–Simmons, giving Casey an early and detailed education in offensive football strategy.
Personal Life
Keenum and his wife, Kimberly, have a son named Kyler. The family has been active in charitable work, and Keenum has spoken openly about his Christian faith, citing his relationship with Jesus Christ as a guiding force in his life. He and his family have also embraced business ventures, including their ownership stake in Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Keenum’s first year in Chicago after signing a one-year deal with the Bears. He entered training camp as a competitor for the backup role behind Caleb Williams, with Tyson Bagent also in the mix. Keenum’s veteran experience and familiarity with offensive systems made him a valuable asset during the preseason, even as he ultimately settled into the third-string role for the regular season.
Throughout the year, Keenum served as a steady presence in the Bears’ quarterback room, providing mentorship to Williams and Bagent while staying ready to step in if called upon. Although he did not start any games, his preparation and leadership were credited internally with helping the young quarterbacks navigate a competitive NFC North slate.
Following the 2025 campaign, Keenum signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension in March 2026, signaling the Bears’ confidence in his continued role as a mentor and dependable backup. The deal reflected his value beyond the field, as Chicago looks to build around its young core with seasoned leadership in the quarterback room.
