The Los Angeles Rams Nearly Traded QB Case Keenum To The Denver Broncos

Life is always full of what ifs for the Los Angeles Rams.

What if Sam Bradford had been injury free with the Rams?

What if RB Steven Jackson had played with a solid offense?

The latest what if is one surrounding their Week 1 starting QB, Case Keenum.

The Denver Broncos pursued Keenum before the team drafted Paxton Lynch in the first round. Word of the pursuit was known for a while. What has not been known is that the Broncos continuously showed interested in Keenum during the preseason, according to Ian Rapoport.

This preseason, #Broncos kept tabs on #Rams QB Case Keenum & the teams had trade talks. Denver’s confidence in Siemian helped scuttle talks.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2016

#Rams would’ve needed huge pick or player compensation to deal Keenum to DEN. Elway never offered Aqib Talib, Roby, or enough to consider

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2016

Of course, Siemian playing well and Rams franchise rookie third-string QB Jared Goff playing horribly were the X-factors behind such a trade not being finalized. Although the trade did not happen, this example shows how fluid the NFL is.

Before the preseason, it would have sounded idiotic for the Rams not to trade Keenum especially after the Rams traded up for Goff. But, well, we've seen Goff faceplant enough to understand that he needs to sit on the bench for a little while.

As it stands, perhaps the two were closer than we ever realized.