Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum, who will serve as the starter with Baker Mayfield undergoing surgery, dismissed the idea that his team has nothing to play for on Sunday.
The Browns were eliminated from playoff contention, and their Week 18 opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals, have clinched a playoff berth. Cincy will rest starting quarterback Joe Burrow and will be without starting running back Joe Mixon (COVID-19/reserve). So the game might lack its typical intrigue for fans — but not for players.
“‘What are we playing for?’… (That) isn’t even in our vocabulary,” Keenum told reporters on Wednesday, via WEWS’ Camryn Justice. “You have guys in this locker room, we’ve been dreaming about playing in the NFL since we were kids. … We have a lot of pride and a lot to play for.”
#Browns Case Keenum said they're still ready to go out there and win: "'What are we playing for?'…isn't even in our vocabulary."
"You have guys in this locker room, we've been dreaming about playing in the NFL since we were kids…we have a lot of pride and a lot to play for."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) January 5, 2022
This season, Keenum has started one game, a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7. He has completed 30 of his 48 passes (62.5%) for 286 yards and a touchdown in his six appearances this year. His contract with the Browns extends through the 2022 season.
The Browns (7-9) are last in the AFC North. Their game against the Bengals kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
