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Keenum's plan as Broncos QB outlasts his 2-year contract

Wins when it matters. Now that's an incentive the Broncos would not mind paying.

Based on first impressions, Broncos Country is going to like Case Keenum.

He’s poised, down to earth. He’s not afraid to answer a question truthfully. And he’s not afraid to bet on himself.

The biggest surprise about the Broncos deal with Keenum was that it was only for 2 years.

“First of all, we want to be here long-term,’’ Keenum said. “My wife and I love it already. We want to play the rest of my career here. There’s no doubt about that. I think the two years is an opportunity to prove myself as a starting quarterback. As a franchise quarterback. As somebody a team, a franchise can count on.

“For me, I’ve earned everything I’ve got. Nothing’s ever been handed to me. And I want to continue to earn everything from this point out.’’

There are good reasons why a team ordinarily wants a longer-term commitment from its quarterback. Starting with: he needs time to impose his will on his teammates, to steal a phrase from former University of Colorado coaching icon Bill McCartney.

Players and fans want to invest in their quarterback knowing he’s going to be around for a while. Broncos customers won’t be happy shelling out $99.99 for a new, No. 4 orange-and-blue jersey today at team stores today if it’s going on the discount rack in a year or two.

The best case for Keenum: He has a terrific first season in Denver, and people start pushing for an extension.

9NEWS obtained details of Keenum’s two-year, $36 million contract. He gets a fully guaranteed $18 million this year ($6 million signing bonus, $4 million roster bonus, $8 million salary). In 2019, Keenum has $7 million of his $18 million salary fully guaranteed with the other $11 million guaranteed against injury-only.

This is not like most two-year contracts in the NFL where only the first year is promised. This is an ironclad two-year commitment to Keenum as the Broncos' starting quarterback. The contract says the Broncos would be wasting their No. 5 overall pick if they selected a quarterback. They're going to have a No. 5 pick sit for two years? That's not what No. 5 picks are for.

Keenum also has $1 million worth of incentives each year based on the greatest of reasons: playoff wins. Not Pro Bowls, or passing-yard thresholds. Wins when it matters. Now that’s an incentive the Broncos would not mind paying.

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