In his short career so far, Brock Osweiler already knows the highs and the lows of being an NFL starter.
Once a promising, highly-desired, free agent starting quarterback, the 26-year-old recently became a potential castoff for the hapless Cleveland Browns – all in just a single season.
It all has seemingly happened so quick for Osweiler. After three seasons as the Broncos backup QB, he was thrust in to the starting role in the middle of the 2015 season replacing a hobbled Peyton Manning. In six starts, Osweiler led the Broncos to a 4-2 record before Manning took over for the playoffs. Of course, the Broncos went on to win the Super Bowl and Manning retired soon thereafter. After the season, Osweiler became a free agent and spurned Denver to sign a mega four-year deal with the Texans worth $72 million with $37 million guaranteed.
In 2016, Osweiler struggled mightily for the Texans and lost his starting job after week 14. Ultimately, he finished 2016 with more interceptions thrown (16) than touchdowns (15). After the season ended, the Texans apparently had seen enough. They traded Osweiler to the Browns on Thursday in a deal where the Texans added a second-round pick in a deal simply so they could rid themselves of him and his $16 million salary.
Even before Osweiler’s tumultuous downfall, most were wary of Houston’s deal to sign him in the first place; especially because they shelled out so much money. However, a select few actually liked the signing.
CBS’ Adam Schein really really really liked the move…
"The Texans are going to win 10+ games." @AdamSchein can't get enough of Houston's moves. pic.twitter.com/gULt0DUTWM
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 9, 2016
figured. I get that. I think Brock is major upgrade and Texans had strong offseason
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) June 21, 2016
Wow. Great for the Texans. Bad look for Denver. #Brock
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) March 9, 2016
Texans looking for that home field advantage in the Super Bowl. Wow. What a day!
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) March 9, 2016
Osweiler would throw three picks against the eventual Super Bowl-winning Patriots in the AFC Division Round Playoff.
Before the playoffs, the Texans and Osweiler were destroyed by the Patriots 27-0 on a Thursday night in late September; a game in which the Patriots were forced to start third string rookie Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Schein was very pumped before the game…
Can't wait for TNF! This is exactly why the Texans smartly signed Brock. They are the better team tonight. Win the game.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) September 22, 2016
Speaking of New England, here’s Patriots fan Bill Simmons…
Nice job by Houston with Osweiler – I like that guy, thought Denver would have won SB with him too. That's a real QB.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 9, 2016
Survivor supervillain Russell Hantz was a fan…
Houston Texans just stepped up and got Denver's BrockOsweiler now we have a QB people!! #gotexans
— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) March 9, 2016
More love for Brock and the Texans here…
If true, love the move! @HoustonTexans signing Brock Osweiler. #Texans
— Pablo Alsina (@PabloAlsina) March 9, 2016
The Texans made two big moves in free agency, and it should scare the rest of the NFL https://t.co/5IzZCX8VBv pic.twitter.com/IfdrhDwZ57
— Insider Sports (@SportsInsider) March 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/cameronmoulene/status/707710795367342081
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco seemed to like the move for the sole reason that the Texans were “going for it”…
Love the Texans getting Osweiler. Had to take a swing.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) March 9, 2016
It ended up being a big swing and a miss.
The Washington Post gave Houston’s free agent signings an “A” grade…
“The biggest blockbuster in free agency came less than an hour before the official opening of the market at 4 p.m. ET. It’s a huge addition for the Texans, who get the most promising quarterback available after having to start Brian Hoyer in last season’s playoffs. Hoyer’s four-interception performance in the season-ending postseason loss to the Chiefs seemed to convince the Texans that they simply had to devote considerable resources to upgrading the position. The Broncos, on the heels of Peyton Manning’s retirement, are left without the would-be successor to Manning. There won’t be a seamless transition at quarterback for the Super Bowl champs, whose next move potentially could be a trade for Colin Kaepernick. Grade: A”
Osweiler didn’t pan out as the long-term starting option in Houston, and he doesn’t seem to be in many teams plans as a long-term option at QB. Unfortunately, he ended up being another overhyped, overpaid backup QB bust for the Texans.
