Keenum talks about departure from Vikings; Bradford says knee 'feels good'
Former Vikings QB Case Keenum was introduced with the Broncos on Friday, while former Vikings QB Sam Bradford did an interview with the Cardinals’ web site after officially signing his new deal. Both QBs agreed to two-year contracts as the Vikings moved on from both of them (and Teddy Bridgewater, who has a deal with the Jets) to sign Kirk Cousins.
Here are a few highlights from what both QBs had to say Friday, particularly as they relate to the Vikings:
Keenum, who thanked the Vikings in his opening remarks, was asked about his standout 2017 season in Minnesota.
“I think it was a lot of things,” he said. “I think we had the right group of guys — offensively, defensively and as a coaching staff, the pieces fit. For me, I’m a guy that has continued to get better over my career. That’s been a goal for me. I want to get better each day, I want to get better each week, I want to get better each season and I want to get better each year. I plan on being better than I was last year.”
He was also asked if it was awkward going to a team and into a locker room that sought Cousins as a first target.
“No, it’s not awkward. [LB] Von [Miller] was the first person to reach out. I applaud those guys for wanting to make their team better. I want guys that want their team to be great and that want to do everything they can to help the team. So no, it’s not awkward for me at all.”
Bradford, meanwhile, opened up about a frustrating 2017 season. He was the Vikings’ starter going into the year and shined in his season debut against the Saints before being limited to just two more quarters on the field the rest of the season because of his surgically repaired knee. Bradford passed his physical before signing on Friday.
“My knee feels good,” Bradford told azcardinals.com. “I went through some struggles last year with it, and it was probably one of the most frustrating seasons I’ve had mentally. The first part of the season, I just couldn’t get it to calm down. But with the procedure I had in November, I was able to get myself into a position to suit up for the playoff games, and really since then, it felt good. … In my mind, it’s really not an issue. I think everyone outside of this building is probably worried about it, but having gone through the rehab process and having gone through injuries before, as a player, you really can’t focus on it. I trust the process I’ve been through to this point. I know the strength staff here, the training staff here. … We’ve talked about putting a plan in place to make sure my knee is as healthy it can be Week 1.”
No doubt, it will be intriguing to watch how each QB — Cousins, Keenum, Bradford and Bridgewater — fares this year and beyond.