Todd Davis explains what Case Keenum signing means for Broncos' defense

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Saddle up, Broncos Country, it’s go-time.

With Case Keenum now officially at the helm of Denver’s offense, the expectations have increased. Naturally, the heightened pressure will be on Bill Musgrave’s offense, but it’s already flooded to the other side of the ball.

“I think that puts a little more pressure on us,” Todd Davis said about signing Keenum, speaking on behalf of the defense. “We’ve played great in the past, but now that we have a solid quarterback it’s really on us to step up and do our jobs so that he can continue to be great.”

For the last three and a half seasons, the play from the Broncos’ quarterback position hasn’t lived up to the standard set in Denver by John Elway and Peyton Manning during his first two and a half seasons, at least statistically speaking.

Since No. 18 hung ‘em up two years ago, the performance from that position has left a lot to be desired, and there’s been no question that has caused tension between the two sides of the ball.

That’s precisely why Elway and the Broncos’ personnel staff were the first team to lock in a quarterback during free agency, paying Keenum $36 million over two years. So far, the results are pouring in favorably from No. 4’s new teammates.

“I think he’s going to come in here and do great for us,” Davis said at a press conference recognizing his new three-year contract. “I think he’s a solid quarterback. I think he didn’t get enough credit for what he did. I think he’s great under pressure. I’m really excited to see what he does.”

If pay is a good indicator of what the league thinks of a player, then Davis nailed it on the head: Case Keenum is still underrated. Despite having the second-best completion percentage and QBR in the entire league last season, Keenum’s $18 million per year puts him as the 19th-highest paid quarterback in the league.

With a clear significant upgrade from the most important position on the team, the organization, including the players, know the expectations moving forward are drastically different from the disappointing 5-11 season last year.

As Elway and Co. travel the country checking out Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen at their respective pro days this week, there’s been doubts swirling around the Mile High City of how long Keenum will be Denver’s QB. After meeting him just minutes before, the always-smiling Davis had no doubts about who his quarterback was.

“I feel like that gives us the assurance that he is going be our guy moving forward,” the linebacker said, in his new fresh suit. “I like him a lot… Really great guy. I think he’s going to be really good.”

The haters will say Todd was hamstrung by the question. The Broncos would say he’s an excellent spokesperson for the organization.

“Todd embodies everything we look for in a Denver Broncos football player,” defensive coordinator Joe Woods said proudly of his linebacker.

Although the start of the season is half a year away, the expectations, and excitement, have shot up with the gunslingin’ quarterback now wearing Orange & Blue.