Is Case Keenum the Next Kirk Cousins?

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Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

So Will Keenum Be Kirk Cousins Next Year?

As I said before, Case Keenum’s sample size is extremely small. It’s hard to tell if Keenum will be able to breakout like Kirk Cousins did this year.

For one, Keenum has never had a high completion percentage like Cousins has had since entering the league. As of Week 16 of the 2015 regular season, Cousins boasts a 64.9% career completion percentage compared to Keenum’s 56.5%. The silver lining in this is Case Keenum has been improving his accuracy and timing with each season since. Since 2013, Keenum has posted completion percentages of 54.2% in 2013, 58.4% in 2014, and 61.4% so far in 2015.

Cousins, on the other hand, had an up-and-down early career while backing up Robert Griffin III. Cousins performed well when his name was called during his rookie season, boasting a 101.6 passer rating. However, he posted a 58.4 rating and 86.4 rating the following two seasons in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Whichever team has Cousins as their quarterback next year is betting on 2013 being an anomaly and 2015 being a sign of consistency for the future.

Another significant difference between Cousins and Keenum is yardage and touchdown production. In 14 games and 9 starts played before 2015, Cousins had thrown for 3,030 yards and 18 touchdowns. In 10 starts played before 2015, Keenum had thrown for 2,195 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) warms up before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

It remains to be seen if Case Keenum can improve in this department, but he definitely has the edge in interceptions during his first three years as a pro. Whereas Cousins had thrown 19 interceptions before his breakout season, Keenum had only thrown 8.

So will Case Keenum break out like Kirk Cousins did this year with the Washington Redskins? Probably not. Kirk Cousins is the more talented quarterback, and has proven that he is a better pro than the once highly-touted Robert Griffin III. Keenum just hasn’t shown us enough to be deemed a franchise quarterback for the Rams quite yet. It would be best for the Rams to draft a franchise quarterback in the next couple years or develop Sean Mannion for the future.

Worst Case scenario (Pun absolutely intended): Keenum is an extremely valuable backup quarterback for the rest of his career who can win games when the starter goes down.

Best Case scenario: Keenum becomes an Alex Smith for the St. Louis Rams and ends up being the missing piece Jeff Fisher’s Rams have been desperately looking for. He won’t be a rags-to-riches perennial Pro Bowler or All-Pro quarterback like Kurt Warner was, but with the help of an underrated receiving corps, a Todd Gurley-led running game, and a stout defense, Keenum can lead this team to the playoffs and eventually a Super Bowl after an extremely long and painful drought.

Which Case Keenum will we see next year? I don’t know, but Case is a great leader. Here’s to hoping he can lead this team if he has to.

For the season finale, Case Keenum and the St. Louis Rams (7-8) head to Santa Clara, California in the state-of-the-art Levi’s Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers (4-11). Even though the 49ers are clearly struggling, anything can happen in a heated rivalry game. Will Case Keenum have a career game against this Northern California team, or will he flop? Comment below with YOUR thoughts on Case Keenum’s future.

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