Lammey: Brock Osweiler returns to Broncos. Now what?

The Denver Broncos made quite a few waves when trimming their roster to 53 players on Saturday. They actually came out of Saturday with only 52 players on the roster, but many had an idea of who the 53rd player was going to be.

That player was quarterback Brock Osweiler.

The former second-round pick (2012) of the Broncos was released by the Cleveland Browns over the weekend and an unexpected return to Denver ended up happening.

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph smiled when asked about Osweiler after Monday’s practice.

“He looked fine. He looks tall – very tall. He’s been with [Offensive Coordinator] Mike [McCoy] before, so the terminology wasn’t that different for him. He looked fine.” Joseph said.

So Osweiler is back in the Mile High City, now what’s next for the Broncos quarterback?

The Osweiler of old

Osweiler left the Broncos after helping lead the team to Super Bowl 50. It was an odyssey of 18 months that finds him back in Denver a new man.

He’s a tall passer (6’7”) with a big arm who had a roller coaster of a season with the Houston Texans in 2016. Osweiler was benched during the regular season after throwing for 2,957 yards with 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He did return for the Texans playoff run, winning one game against the Oakland Raiders and then losing the following week against the New England Patriots.

Now back with the Broncos, Osweiler had a chance to reflect on Monday.

“It’s hard to really describe it in words, but being back here today, practicing as a Bronco and being here at[UCHealth Training Center], it’s probably a top-five, if not top-three day of my life. Today’s been incredible.” Osweiler said.

Broncos general manager John Elway believes Osweiler could be the player he used to be.

“I’m sure with everything he went through in Houston and then going to Cleveland, I’m sure he’s going to need a little football rehab. We know that. We’ll welcome him with open arms and give him some love.” Elway said.

The new Brock

Since leaving the Broncos, Osweiler has bounced around to two different teams and the experience has shaped him. Osweiler left the Broncos after helping lead the team to Super Bowl 50. It was an odyssey of 18 months that finds him back in Denver a new man.

Starting running back C.J. Anderson is fully on board with the decision to bring back Osweiler.

“I have full confidence in Brock is something happens to 13 [Siemian]. He’s smart and knows the system, so that will help us in case of emergency.” Anderson said.

Osweiler did look a little different throwing passes on Monday. I must say it was a little surreal to see him on the practice field with the Broncos again. Osweiler was throwing with more touch than I remember, but he still had the same throwing motion and zip on the ball.

The new Brock may be like the old Brock if he can get a return in confidence. Working in such a familiar system, with a front office that believes in him, could help him do just that.

When Paxton returns

The biggest question mark for Osweiler may be what happens to him once second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch returns from his shoulder injury. Lynch’s shoulder injury is to his throwing arm, so even though he may be able to come back in a month or so that’s no guarantee he’s ready to be one snap away from playing and potentially starting for the Broncos.

Osweiler can be ready due to his extensive pro experience. In fact, because Lynch’s injury is to his throwing shoulder it means the team will be especially cautious bringing him back into the mix.

If the team is winning games with Siemian, they may want to keep Osweiler as the second-string quarterback even if Lynch is 100 percent healthy. Being healthy and being ready are two different things, and the team needs to be sure of both if Lynch is going to get the backup job back – a position he only had for one week of the preseason.

Osweiler is back with the team and he may have an opportunity to show that he can still be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His experiences – both good and bad – have developed Osweiler’s outlook.

“A lot of things have happened. Obviously, there’s a lot of negative things that came from last season and a lot of ups and downs, but with that a lot of learning experiences. So because of that, I’m a better player.” Osweiler said.

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