Buffalo Bills traded only a seventh-round pick for Case Keenum (along with a restructured contract)
The first reason is what the Buffalo Bills gave up, which was one of their two seventh round picks in next month’s NFL Draft. The Bills originally had nine picks in the 2022 NFL Draft with an extra seventh round pick acquired in the trade with the Atlanta Falcons that sent tight end Lee Smith to Atlanta.
The fact the Bills were able to trade only a seventh round pick to acquire a veteran quarterback like Case Keenum is a steal. The Bills have one of the deepest rosters so the chance that nine players were going to make the 53-man roster was unlikely so using that pick to address an important position, is a great move.
In addition to that, Buffalo was able to work out a restructured contract with Case Keenum. According to Field Yates, Keenum is now due a base salary of only $3.5 million which as Yates notes helps the Bills as they have made a number of moves this offseason and have limited cap space.
Case Keenum has agreed to a restructured deal as part of the trade to the Buffalo, per source. Keenum is now due a base salary of $3.5M, which makes acquiring him more palatable for the Bills from a cap perspective.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2022
He recently earned a $1M roster bonus from Cleveland.
The addition of a veteran quarterback, with Keenum’s experience, at that salary, is a great move for Buffalo.