Why has Zimmer still not named Keenum the starter for the rest of 2017?

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters on Wednesday that he is going to continue naming the team’s starting quarterback on a week-by-week basis.

A few weeks ago when the Minnesota Vikings were preparing to play two games in four days, the debate was whether the team should replace quarterback Case Keenum in the starting lineup with a healthy Teddy Bridgewater. But since Keenum had won five of his seven starts up to that point, the Vikings opted to keep him as their starter for their matchups in Week 11 and Week 12.

Keenum certainly has not made Minnesota regret their decision since then. The Vikings have won each of their last two games and the quarterback has thrown for 562 yards and three touchdowns while running for another score.

Despite his recent play, Minnesota has still not gone and declared Keenum as the starter for the rest of the season. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has already announced that the quarterback would start this week against the Atlanta Falcons, but on Wednesday Zimmer explained to the local Minnesota media that a change under center could still be made this year.

"“We’re just going to go one week at a time. That’s just the way it is. I’m not looking to pull (Keenum), but every week is a different week in this league.”"

When asked about Zimmer’s comments later in the day, Keenum gave a response that was not about to ruffle anyone’s feathers.

Minnesota Vikings

"“Like I’ve said, I’m going to keep doing the same thing. I’m going to keep coming in, taking things a week at a time, trusting the process. Because we’re still hungry, we still want this bad. The next step in our goals is this week and that’s going and beating a good football team. So we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.”"

It’s possible that Keenum could have other feelings about the situation, but making a big deal about it just not the type of person he is (the guy doesn’t even curse).

On the other side, it’s unfortunate that Zimmer will not just name him the starter for the rest of the season. Keenum has definitely earned the right to keep his job in the starting lineup and there is no real reason to think that he will not remain in the same position for the team’s last five games.

Even those who have been pulling for Teddy Bridgewater to get back out on the field this year know by now that changing the team’s starting quarterback at this point in the season could do more harm than good.

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Keenum is a big part of why the Vikings are 9-2 right now and what Zimmer said on Wednesday about the team’s current quarterback situation is just flat-out disrespectful to the guy who has been starting under center for the majority of Minnesota’s season.