The Nov. 4 trade deadline is right around the corner, and even though the Chicago Bears aren't expected to make a big splash, opportunities may arise between now and Tuesday that GM Ryan Poles may not be able to turn down. One of those could come at the quarterback spot.
The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly looking to trade for a veteran backup QB, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, via Underdog NFL. Naturally, Case Keenum becomes a natural trade target for a multitude of reasons.
Case Keenum Could Be Moved Ahead of the Trade Deadline
Keenum had the best season of his career in Minnesota in 2017. After leading the Vikings to an 11-3 record in his starts after Sam Bradford went down, Keenum went all the way to the NFC Championship Game before earning himself a multi-year deal with the Denver Broncos that offseason. Since then, he hasn't been able to reach the same heights he did in Minnesota, but he now has an excellent opportunity to go back to where he had his best stint as a pro.
The Vikings finally got J.J. McCarthy back in Week 9, but after losing Carson Wentz for the season, they don't have a viable backup, as undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is the only other signal-caller on the roster. The 37-year-old could be the veteran mentor and QB2 that the Vikings desperately need.
Right now, Keenum is the third-string quarterback in Chicago and is firmly behind Tyson Bagent in the pecking order. He is a healthy scratch in most weeks, including in Week 9 against the Bengals. Even though the Bears may be hesitant to help a division rival at this point in the season, getting any draft capital in return for your QB3 would be difficult to say no to. Plus, it's not like adding Keenum is going to drastically change the fate of the Vikings.
The Bears will not get anything more than a Day 3 pick or a late-round pick swap in any deal for Keenum. At the same time, the 37-year-old is on an expiring contract and will likely not return for another season. It's difficult to imagine he will see any snaps this season, barring unexpected, devastating injuries. Therefore, it behooves Poles to consider making a deal with the Vikings, no matter how unappealing it may seem for Bears fans.