The Cleveland Browns always seem to be looking for their next bridge quarterback. Should they take a closer look at Brock Osweiler in that role for 2017?
When the Cleveland Browns swung the deal to acquire quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans, it was widely expected that Osweiler’s time in Cleveland would be very short-lived.
The Browns have the capacity – if not the desire – to absorb the $16 million in salary that Osweiler brought with him from Houston, but offset language in his contract would help minimize Cleveland’s financial obligation if they can find a trade partner.
But as the days have rolled along and no team has stepped up, it may be time to start thinking about making Osweiler the team’s latest bridge quarterback.
It may not be the most palatable idea, especially given the way that Osweiler’s lone season with the Texans played out, but there are three reasons that the Browns could at least entertain the idea.
The Browns are going to be paying Osweiler something in 2017 no matter what, so not give it some time and see what they actually have in him? After this season Osweiler has no guaranteed money left in his deal, so the Browns won’t incur any additional salary cap pain by keeping him around for a while.
Related: Browns settling with Osweiler in 2017?
Having Osweiler on the roster would not stop the Browns from selecting a quarterback in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. While the evaluations of the available quarterbacks are all over the board, the one consensus seems to be that none of them are ready to step in and start from day one. Now that will drive media members and some fans mad, but it is important to remember that if the Browns select a quarterback in the draft, they are not doing it with Week 1 of 2017 in mind; they are selecting someone who can be the starter for the next decade.
With Osweiler on the roster, the Browns can draft a quarterback and seriously let him get up to speed in 2017 while Osweiler and (possibly) Cody Kessler help the Browns earn another high draft pick for 2018 in what should be the final big push in the rebuilding plan.
There should be little argument that Osweiler is better than current third-stringer Kevin Hogan, and a solid argument can be made that Osweiler is better than Kessler.
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Osweiler was solid in Denver in 2015 when he started seven games for the Broncos because he played in a run-heavy offense and with a stout defense backing him up. The Broncos then offered him a deal that would pay him an average of around $13 million a year for three seasons. (And we’re repeatedly told that John Elway is a genius, so if liked Osweiler, then Osweiler must be good, yes?)
He foolishly let his emotions get in the way, however, after being benched for Peyton Manning and decided to sign with the Texans, who favor a past-heavy offense that does not cater to Osweiler’s game.
The Browns are not the Broncos, but Osweiler could find a comfort level in Cleveland. With the moves the Browns made in free agency to shore up the offensive line, and with the running back tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson – who helped the Browns hit a 50-year high in yards per carry last season – the Browns can be a running offense that works to take the pressure of Osweiler.
And while the defense is not up to speed just yet, there is no doubt they will be better this fall simply because Gregg Williams is running the defense instead of Ray Horton.
While no team is interested in trading for Osweiler right now, a deal could emerge in moments once training camp and the preseason gets underway.
If the Browns hold onto him though training camp, they are only one quarterback injury away from a desperate team giving them a call. They won’t be able to pull off a trade for a first-round pick the way that the Philadelphia Eagles did with Sam Bradford, but they should be able to get more for Osweiler in that situation than they would now.
If not, the Browns can always release Osweiler in the final roster cutdown or hold onto him until the trading deadline to see if something good emerges.
It all comes down to the fact that – no matter what – the Browns will be paying Osweiler at least some portion of his guaranteed salary for this season.
There is almost no downside to keeping Osweiler on the roster at least through training camp. If he shows that he can be the player that he was in Denver, then the Browns can let him play this fall and move on after the season.
If it turns out that the true Osweiler was the one that everyone saw last season in Houston, the Browns can move on at any point and they haven’t really lost all that much.
When it comes to the Browns, patience is a four-letter word. But in this instance, a little bit of patience may result in a satisfying pay off.