As we move towards free agency next week, locking up Brock Osweiler is becoming an earnest proposition for the Denver Broncos.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday the Broncos offered Osweiler a three-year deal that can be worth as much as $45 million total, according to a source involved with the negotiations. Rapoport adds the average per year figure would rank around 20th among NFL starters. On Friday, Rapoport referred to a middle-of-the-road offer for Osweiler and said the quarterback is still expected to test the free-agent market.
Mike Klis of KUSA first reported the development.
There are reportedly a lot of moving parts with the offer.
Per Klis, the package includes incentives. The offer falls between Nick Foles' $12.25 million per year deal and Andy Dalton's $16 million per year pact.
How much is actually guaranteed -- the key number in any deal -- remains unknown. That guaranteed number would better indicate how confident the Broncos are in Osweiler's long-term viability as a starter.
A three-year proposal could be beneficial for both sides. It would give the Broncos an out if a quarterback with just seven starts in his career doesn't live up to the projection. A short-term deal would also allow Osweiler to reach free agency (or be franchise tagged) again when he's 28 years old.
Kirk Cousinsrecently signed his one-year $19.95 million franchise tender. Sam Bradfordinked a two-year, $36 million deal, with $22 million guaranteed.
With a dearth of quality signal callers on the open market, and in the draft, Osweiler owns the leverage.
While there are several more twists to come in this negotiation, one thing is abundantly clear: Denver is prepared to move on without Peyton Manning.
