EAGAN — When Trevor Siemian embarked on a Mexican vacation in the thick of NFL free agency, he was excited to relax with his fiancée during her break from law school at the University of Denver.

As it turned out, he’d have a move awaiting him.

“I remember thinking I better get back home and start working on how I’m going to get my stuff over to Minnesota,” Siemian said after a recent practice at Minnesota Vikings training camp.

The fourth-year quarterback was traded from the Denver Broncos for a fifth-round pick and now enters the final year of his rookie contract with a new team. Barring injury, he’ll be the backup to Kirk Cousins, who signed a three-year, $84 million contract as Minnesota’s starter.

Siemian comes off a two-year stint as the Broncos primary starter, posting a 13-11 record. But he lost five straight starts in 2017 as the Broncos fell out of the playoff race and finished 5-11.

The Broncos opted to acquire former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum in free agency, which led to Siemian’s departure.

Minnesota rode Keenum, who started the season as a backup, to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance last season. They know the importance of experience at the backup quarterback position.

“Any time you have a guy as a No. 2 quarterback that has played in games and played well in games, I think that’s a good thing,” said offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

Siemian should play extensively against his former team on Aug. 11 when the Vikings and Broncos meet in the preseason opener. Denver selected Siemian in the seventh round in 2015.