Brock Osweiler: What does Peyton news mean for Brock?

What does the news of Peyton Manning’s impending retirement announcement mean for Brock Osweiler and the Denver Broncos?

In case you were asleep Sunday morning, you’re late to the news from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning is set to announce his retirement from football on Monday in Denver.

What a surreal moment that will be…

As Manning is set to make his (correct) decision, the decision of Brock Osweiler looms large. At this point, the alternatives to Brock are fairly minimal for the Broncos. They need a quarterback, and there are not a ton available. We’ve discussed the option of Colin Kaepernick as well as Robert Griffin III, both of whom have more starting experience from Osweiler but many question whether they are on the wrong trajectory career-wise.

There’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, but some question his ability to fit in Gary Kubiak’s offense. He’s also not getting any younger.

I think Fitzpatrick could fit okay, but he’s not a long-term solution. Brock has the potential to be one.

So do you think there is a connection between Manning’s decision and the situation surrounding Brock? My guess is, we have a deal forthcoming, but I could be wrong about that. Think about this for a second though…

Osweiler is 25 years of age. He is being offered, reportedly, a ridiculous contract of three-years, more than $45 million in total money. There could be hang-ups in bonuses or guaranteed money, but at the end of the day, I can’t imagine he would actually decline such an offer from the Super Bowl champion Broncos, especially when the starting job is now his for the taking.

You don’t have to go anywhere and learn a new offense, you don’t have to re-adjust your career, and you have the keys to one of the greatest franchises in pro sports history.

If Brock is even being offered anything close to what is being reported, then I have no doubt in my mind he’ll accept that deal, and possibly use the legal tampering period on Monday to squeeze out a few more guaranteed dollars from the Broncos before officially returning as the team’s starter and franchise QB by Tuesday.

Possibly earlier.

This is something I’ve been very vocal about this offseason. So often, people have said that free agents are worth ‘whatever a team will pay them’ but I disagree with that statement wholeheartedly.

There are far too many free agent busts, cap casualties, and bad contracts in this league for me to believe that a player is worth what they are paid just because teams have to get desperate. Let’s be honest about this one — paying Brock Osweiler anywhere close to $15 million a season is quite desperate, but the Broncos haven’t overpaid for anyone on their roster unless you count Demaryius Thomas’ bad 2015 season, so Elway deserves the opportunity to take a risk here and there.

I’m going to live with the fact that Osweiler could potentially make ridiculous money, though I think he has a ton to prove.

That being said, I have always been a supporter of Osweiler and will continue to do so.

Let’s watch the dominoes fall, but my official prediction is that the coming announcement by Manning will shortly be followed by an announcement of Brock Osweiler’s contract extension.

Next: Peyton Manning to announce retirement Monday

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