Rick Spielman doesn't rule out franchise tagging Case Keenum
Despite reports saying the Vikings do not plan to use the franchise tag on quarterback Case Keenum, the team's general manager claimed Wednesday that a decision hasn't been made.
"Just to make clear, there have been no decisions made on how we're going to move forward," said Rick Spielman while speaking at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
"We'll continue to evolve this process."
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Minnesota has until March 6 to make a decision on Keenum, and whatever decision is made will likely be largely influenced by new offensive coordinator John DeFelippo.
"We've had internal discussions with how he [Keenum] fits in terms of some of the things coach DeFelippo wants to do," Spielman said.
Interestingly, Spielman said they hired DeFelippo under the notion that he would enhance, not change, the way the Vikings operate on offense.
Knowing that, it's hard to completely rule out a Keenum return in 2018 considering he was largely responsible for Minnesota's offensive improvement in 2017.
Keenum went 11-2 as the starter with a 98.3 passer rating (7th in the NFL).
Spielman did not discuss anything related to free agent Kirk Cousins, only to say broadly that they "have a pretty good idea" of what they're doing.
The legal tampering period is March 12-14 and free agents can begin signing after 3 p.m. Central Time on the 14th.
On Bridgewater
Spielman didn't rule out a return for Teddy Bridgewater either, but he did say he does not expect Bridgewater's contract to toll over one year to 2018.
If it doesn't, Bridgewater will become a free agent.
Related:
– Report: NFL won't force Bridgewater to stay with the Vikings
"The issue can go either way, though. Until the NFL tells us which way the decision is going, it's not resolved yet. But they'll address that."
