It's official, Peyton Manning will be retiring after 18 incredible NFL seasons. A career that changed the way franchises view the quarterback position, a career that included two Super Bowl wins, four Super Bowl appearances and a whopping five NFL MVPs, is over. While Manning's retirement will dominate the attention of fans and media alike for the foreseeable future, the Denver Broncos have already shifted their focus to Brock Osweiler.
Osweiler, 25, went 5-2 while filling in for an injured Manning. The Young QB was competent if unspectacular, throwing for 1,967 yards with 10 touchdowns against six interceptions and completing 61.8 percent of his passes in eight game appearances this past seasoon. He did show impressive poise and leadership for a passer with little work on his NFL resume.
With no other in-house option to replace Manning and a draft pick marooned too far away from any of the questionable top prospects at the position this year, Osweiler is really all John Elway has under center. And he doesn't really have him. Osweiler's four-year rookie contract is up, meaning he'll likely hit free agency if the Broncos don't sign him by Monday's exclusive negotiating deadline.
As of now, it's been reported that the Broncos have made a "competitive offer" that is said to be richer than the $12.27 million the Los Angeles Rams are paying Nick Foles per season. If that offer had been enough, however, than Osweiler would have been signed by now.
Manning's $19 million salary will come off the books once his retirement is official, which should free up additional cap space. But restructuring other veterans such as Ryan Clady, DeMarcus Ware and Louis Vasquez could also add additional room that would then be used for Osweiler.
Should Osweiler hit the open market, he'd likely draw interest from the Rams, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and maybe even the San Francisco 49ers. Any QB-needy team would at least have to take a look at the former second-rounder. Though inexperienced - Osweiler has thrown just 305 career passes - the remaining pool of free agent quarterbacks leaves something to be desired. Aside from Ryan Fitzpatrick, it's hard to see a team throwing their support behind the likes of Chase Daniel, Drew Stanton, Matte Moore or Charlie Whitehurst.
The Broncos should and probably will re-sign Osweiler in the near future.
