As NFL Network's Lindsay Rhodes pointed out on Thursday's Around The NFL Podcast, the world-champion Denver Broncos face one of the league's most fascinating offseasons.
While hoping to knit a new contract for Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, general manager John Elway must also figure out how to keep the team together with a free-agent list that includes running back Ronnie Hillman on offense, and Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and restricted free agentBrandon Marshall on defense.
There's also the case of Brock Osweiler, who has a chance to become Denver's quarterback of the future if he doesn't sign elsewhere. After getting a taste of life as a starter, the young passer expressed a desire this week to stay with the Broncos.
"Every single guy on this team embraced me, and that is something I think they all know how thankful I am for that, but this is the best team in the world and we have a very special group in our locker room," Osweiler said, per The Denver Post.
After taking over for an injured and benched Peyton Manning midway through the season, Osweiler logged a 5-2 record during an admirable stretch of play that helped keep the Broncos afloat in the AFC. He finished the year on the pine, but with Manning likely done in Denver, Osweiler looms as the team's answer at quarterback if he isn't wrested away by another suitor.
As we mentioned on the podcast, it's unlikely another club offers Osweiler a bundle of cash. He's too inexperienced for a massive deal, but the quarterback could choose to test the waters. By the sound of it, though, he'd rather build off last season with a team bound to do its part to keep him around.
