Multiple NFL teams need a quarterback before the 2016 season begins and there are various quarterbacks who are set to hit the free agent market, including Kirk Cousins (Washington Redskins), Sam Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles), Ryan Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) and Brock Osweiler (Denver Broncos).
Osweiler, the Broncos backup quarterback, turned starter a bit for the injured Peyton Manning, may be available once free agency officially begins. Unless a deal is reached, the former Arizona State Sun Devil will hit the open market on Mar. 9, a day after Manning’s deadline to let the Broncos know if he will retire. Manning missed time this past season due to various injuries, particularly to his foot. While playing in place of the future Hall of Famer, for the better part of eight games, Osweiler threw for 1,967 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Even if the former Tennessee Volunteer decides to play next season, it is doubtful he would play for Denver. However, it does seem like John Elway and the Broncos front office are waiting to see what Manning does before making a decision on Osweiler. NFL fans may not know if the former Tennessee quarterback will play in 2016, or what uniform he’ll be wearing if he does, but Osweiler will definitely be on a roster next season. The question is, where will he be in 2016? Below are the teams I believe Osweiler could be suiting up for in 2016, in no particular order.
BROCK OSWEILER LIKELY LANDING SPOTS
DENVER BRONCOS
Osweiler staying with the Broncos is certainly something that makes a lot of sense, given that Denver has already said they want to keep the former ASU quarterback, and the signal caller has stated his desire to remain with the Broncos. Elway and the Broncos will really want to hold onto Osweiler if they truly do not want Manning back under center or if the former Indianapolis Colt retires.
But the Broncos will not be the only team jockeying for Osweiler’s services. It’s possible that another team, or teams, simply offer Osweiler a better deal that gets his attention. That being said, it would be foolish to think this isn’t a likely scenario.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Simply put, the Cleveland Browns haven’t been able to find their guy at quarterback in a really, really long time. The Browns have the second overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but if they do not feel their signal caller of the future is in this year’s draft, and they believe Osweiler is someone who could solidify that position for the foreseeable future, it’s easy to see them making an offer that the 6-foot-8, 240 pound quarterback would have to listen to. This is especially true since the Browns desperately need a quality quarterback and they have a lot of salary cap space ($33.2 million) with which to make a serious run at Osweiler.
HOUSTON TEXANS
The Houston Texans have a really good defense, but they have been lacking a quarterback who can lead their offense to where it needs to be. Yes, I know that Osweiler doesn’t necessarily fit head coach Bill O’Brien’s system, but that shouldn’t matter. If O’Brien is worth his salt as a coach, he would be able to tailor his system and make adjustments in order to utilize what it is that Osweiler does well.
The Texans won the weak AFC South in 2015, but it would be foolish of them to think they will be able to truly compete for a Super Bowl with Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden or Tom Savage under center. Houston doesn’t make a selection in the 2016 NFL Draft until 22. If they don’t feel 100% confident in a quarterback in the draft, enough to mortgage the farm to move up, which is entirely likely, they will make a run at one of the free agent quarterbacks. I believe Fitzpatrick will be back in New York and Cousins will be back in Washington. It would be much easier, and less costly, for the Texans to sign Osweiler as a free agent instead of moving up in the draft.
HONORABLE MENTION
I believe the three teams mentioned above are more likely landing spots for Osweiler, but the Jets (if they don’t re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick) and Redskins (if they don’t re-sign Kirk Cousins) need to be mentioned because they could be potential suitors for Osweiler’s services.
I’m not sure if Osweiler is capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl, but the NFL is a passing league (even if Denver just won a Super Bowl with defense) and demand for quarterbacks exceeds the supply every single season. If Osweiler hits free agency there will be multiple teams extremely interested in signing him and I believe those listed above are the most likely destinations for Osweiler in 2016.
