Case Keenum is probably going to retire from the NFL after the 2024 season and begin his coaching career at age 37. In the meantime, the Houston Texans will pay him not to play this fall.
General manager Nick Caserio pulled an extremely classy move to help the veteran quarterback and his family by placing him on Injured Reserve prior to 53-man roster cuts.
Keenum went undrafted out of the University of Houston in 2012. Even though nobody took a flier on one of the greatest passers in college football history, he carved out a successful journeyman career on the professional level with the Texans, Rams, Vikings, Broncos, Commanders, Browns and Bills. The majority of his time in league was as a backup, but Keenum made 66 starts — including all 16 games for Denver in 2018 — and played in 80 total games. It has been a fantastic run.
However, his career will likely end after Year 14. This is expected to be Keenum’s final run.
Unfortunately, it is going to be spent on the sideline.
Houston placed Keenum on season-ending IR on Tuesday after he suffered a foot injury in the preseason. The 36-year-old quarterback could technically return this year if the team waives him off injured reserve with an injury settlement, but that isn’t going to happen.
His year is over. His career is likely over as well. Keenum is expected to retire.
Regardless of what the future holds, Caserio’s decision to put the local legend on IR is really cool. The Texans could have cut him loose and called it a day.
Instead, by putting him on Injured Reserve, Keenum will get paid his full salary for 2024. In addition, this non-active year will still count as another year logged toward his pension.
NFL players are eligible to collect a pension at age 55 if they played at least three seasons. They qualify for a minimum annual payment of $19,000 per year after retirement. That number increases based on the number of seasons played.
Houston added an additional “year played” to Case Keenum’s pension plan by putting him on IR. Pretty cool move!