Jared Goff had a tough rookie season. At the end of the 2016 campaign, Goff was 0-7 and on a bad Los Angeles Rams squad. What few might not remember is that Case Keenum was on Jeff Fisher’s last NFL team. He helped LA to a 3-1 record to open the Rams inaugural season back on the West Coast, before giving way to Goff in Week 11, against the Miami Dolphins.
Keenum has that kind of experience. He’s also someone who understands that his one-off kind of season in Minnesota is seen more like a blip than a trend. Think of Keenum as a bridesmaid, but never the bride. Unfair, perhaps, but Keenum is a guy who gets it.
Should the Bengals draft Burrow, odds are reasonable that Cincinnati could use a veteran like Keenum to assist with a transition. Additionally, Keenum is a journeyman quarterback who has seen the highs and lows and would be more than capable of steering the team should he be required to.
Goff in 2017 was much better than Goff in 2016. In his second season, the Rams made the playoffs and put a 4-12 season behind them. Keenum helped keep that 2016 team afloat and allowed Goff to learn some hard lessons. In 2018, they would reach the Super Bowl, losing to New England 13-3.