The Denver Broncos have an increasingly interesting quarterback situation on their hands.
Following last night's 34-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler is now 3-2 as a starting quarterback this season. The 25-year-old signal-caller replaced future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning following an injury and has been decent thus far, which is actually part of the problem. Denver brass, notably John Elway, has no idea what they have in Osweiler but still must decide on his future in the present. Manning, even if he does return to the starting lineup, should not be relied upon for the 2016 season and Osweiler is set to hit free agency this offseason.
Almost by default, the Broncos have to shell out some significant coin to keep the former second-round pick in Denver.
"By the time Osweiler's deal expires this offseason, he will not have played enough for either side to feel great about locking him in to a long-term agreement," ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando wrote. "He does seem to fit coach Gary Kubiak's offense. And he does have in his corner a key supporter in general manager John Elway, who drafted him. With Manning still around, the Broncos have not declared Osweiler their starter for the remainder of the season, but he is clearly the leading candidate to start in 2016 at least. The Broncos have no other long-term prospects at the position, and they'll be picking toward the bottom of the draft order."
It's difficult to evaluate Osweiler given that his two best statistical games have both come in losses. Over the last two weeks, Osweiler is completing 58.1 percent of his passes and has thrown for 604 yards with three touchdowns against one interception. , but the Broncos have fallen to the Raiders and Steelers. For the season, he ranks 26th in both QBR (48.8) and passer rating (84.9). What would it cost to lock up a QB like that?
"$10 million to $12 million per season," Sando wrote. "Projections ranged from $16 million for two years to $45 million for three seasons. The $10 million to $12 million projection splits the difference and falls where an agent thought the sides might meet. 'Teams step back and watch the tape weeks later, when they are not in the emotional point of the season,' this agent said. 'The Broncos' loss Sunday is meaningful today, but it will be meaningless for Osweiler on tape two months from now. In February, all that matters is how he played. You can have these conversations with cap guys now, then revisit them in February when all those numbers will go up.'"
