Earlier this year, the Cleveland Browns made a trade for a second-round pick that also included Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler and his big, fat contract. That is how much Houston was looking to move on from him. And the Browns talked on and on about the second-round pick before even bothering to mention that they also got Osweiler in the deal.
From the start, it seemed obvious that his future with the team was tenuous at best. There was even a report that they might simply release him outright, with the hope of another team signing him to a deal and in doing so offsetting some of the money they would have to pay him.
Even owner Jimmy Haslam publicly acknowledged, however, that he could be traded, but as the clock ticks closer and closer to the draft, it’s becoming less and less certain that the Browns will (or will be able to) move the former second-round pick of the Broncos.
Denver hoped that Osweiler could be the successor to Peyton Manning, but when free agency rolled around they scoffed at his asking price and let him walk, thinking he wasn’t worth that cost. They turned around and drafted Paxton Lynch instead. Now the Texans are looking to draft a quarterback.
Yesterday, Sashi Brown was asked about Osweiler’s status. It was reported that he was working with the wide receivers during the offseason prior to his wife having a baby, which understandably took greater priority.
Brown down reporters that he expects Osweiler to be there in training camp after seeing him in for the first few days of the offseason program. “He is a positive young man who has some ability and talent. We look forward to him trying to establish himself here and have a chance to compete to be the starting quarterback”.
That seems to be a change of tune compared to what we have heard from members of the organization in the months that followed that trade, though Pat McManamon writes that ESPN has been told that they are not making Osweiler available to the media until after the draft “to be sure he’s on the team at that point”.
Adding to the storyline is that Brown was asked if the team will try to trade for a veteran quarterback during the draft. He responded by saying that they is not their plan at this point. “Could we in theory? Yes”, he said. “But are we planning on it or is that the plan? No”.
That would seem to strengthen the case for Osweiler remaining on the team, increasing the odds that the Browns use a first-round pick on a quarterback. In such an event, Osweiler could serve as the bridge quarterback until their first-round pick is ready. Barring that, the role would go to second-year Cody Kessler.
