Case Keenum was never supposed to make it. Too short, too system-dependent, too overlooked. He went undrafted in 2012 after shattering every major college passing record, and yet here he is, 14 seasons later, preparing to start a Monday Night Football game for the Chicago Bears at age 38. The numbers say he’s a journeyman. The story says he’s something else entirely.
Age, Height, and Background
Case Keenum was born on February 17, 1988, in Abilene, Texas. He is 38 years old.
He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 215 pounds. Keenum grew up in Abilene, where football is treated like a religion. His father played and later coached at McMurry University, so the game was in his blood from the start. He attended Wylie High School, where he won 31 games as a starter and led the Bulldogs to the 2004 Class 3A Division 1 State Championship, the only title in school history.
Wife: Kimberly Caddell
Case Keenum married Kimberly Caddell in June 2011. The two met in Abilene when they were teenagers. Kimberly was a volleyball player and pole vaulter at a rival high school, and Case was the star quarterback at Wylie. They crossed paths at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes conference, and Case asked her to join him for a snow cone afterward. That was the beginning.
Kimberly isn’t just a supportive spouse. She’s a football mind in her own right. She learned the Texans’ offensive playbook and tested Case on it every morning before workouts. During his time with the Rams, HBO’s “Hard Knocks” captured her talking about how much she enjoyed learning the plays so she could understand what Case was saying in the huddle.
When Keenum tore his ACL in 2010 and spiraled into depression and painkiller addiction, it was Kimberly who moved him into her garage apartment, dressed him, fed him, and helped him wean off the drugs. A few months later, at the 50-yard line of Houston’s stadium, surrounded by candles and flowers, he proposed.
The couple has young children, and Keenum has spoken about the joy of raising them as Houston Cougars fans, taking them to Fertitta Center games and passing down his love for his alma mater.
College Career: The Most Prolific Passer in FBS History
Keenum’s college career at the University of Houston is one of the greatest in NCAA history. He holds the FBS records for career passing yards (19,217) and passing touchdowns (155). He threw for over 5,000 yards in three different seasons, becoming the only FBS quarterback to accomplish that feat.
His journey wasn’t linear. He tore his ACL in the third game of the 2010 season, and Houston finished 5-7. The NCAA granted him a rare sixth year of eligibility, and he made the most of it. In 2011, he threw for 5,631 yards and 48 touchdowns with only five interceptions, leading the Cougars to a 12-0 regular season and a TicketCity Bowl victory over Penn State.
He won the Conference USA MVP award twice and the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation’s top passer. He also earned a 3.8 GPA while working toward a graduate degree in sports administration.
NFL Career: The Ultimate Journeyman
Undrafted to Houston: Despite his record-setting college career, Keenum went undrafted in 2012. He signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent and initially spent his rookie season on the practice squad.
The Rams and the Vikings: Keenum bounced between the Texans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams before landing in Minnesota in 2017. That season changed everything. He took over after Sam Bradford was injured, started 14 games, and led the Vikings to a 13-3 record and the NFC North title. He threw for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.
The “Minneapolis Miracle”: With 10 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Round against the New Orleans Saints, Keenum launched a 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired. The Vikings won 29-24, and the play became one of the most famous finishes in NFL history. Keenum called it the third-best moment of his life, behind giving his life to the Lord and marrying his wife.
Denver and Beyond: The Broncos signed him to a two-year, $36 million deal in 2018, believing he could be a franchise quarterback. It didn’t work out as hoped, and he returned to a backup role. He’s since played for Washington, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Houston before joining the Chicago Bears in 2025.
Contract and Net Worth
In March 2026, Keenum signed a two-year, $5.5 million extension with the Bears. The deal includes $2.9 million guaranteed and incentives that could push the value higher. He’s set to earn $3 million in 2026 and $2.5 million in 2027.
His career earnings through 2026 total approximately $57.18 million across eight different teams. His net worth is estimated at around $20 million, built through smart contracts and longevity rather than superstar paydays.
The 2026 Opportunity
Keenum’s 2026 season was supposed to be quiet. He was the Bears’ third-string quarterback, a mentor for Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. Then Williams suffered a hamstring injury, and Bagent entered concussion protocol. Suddenly, the 38-year-old who hadn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 2023 was preparing to start on Monday Night Football.
“I feel very prepared,” Keenum said. “It’s what I do every week. It’s what I’ve done for a long time.”
The Bottom Line
Case Keenum is 38 years old, married to the woman who helped him survive his darkest moment, and still playing professional football. He holds the NCAA record for career passing touchdowns. He threw the “Minneapolis Miracle.” He’s made $57 million after going undrafted. He was never supposed to make it. He did anyway.
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