Brock Osweiler

Browns Release Brock Osweiler

September 1st, 2017 at 3:52pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Browns have released quarterback Brock Osweiler, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports. Cutting Osweiler was the likely route for Cleveland after he failed to beat out second-round rookie DeShone Kizer for the team’s starting job, though the club will still have to pay the veteran his fully guaranteed $16MM salary.

The Browns acquired Osweiler in March in an unprecedented trade with the Texans, when Houston essentially paid Cleveland a 2018 second-round pick just to take on his contract. The expectation then was that the Browns would either flip Osweiler elsewhere or cut him, and they went the latter route after they couldn’t find a taker via trade.

Now, if Osweiler signs elsewhere, he’ll likely do so for the league minimum $775K, which will give the Browns a relatively small bit of financial relief. But with the recent releases and trades of Joe Haden, Desmond Bryant and Cameron Erving, the Browns basically made back the money they’re obligated to pay Osweiler.

While Osweiler had a miserable 2016 in Houston after signing a big-money deal in free agency, he seems likely to find work as an inexpensive backup somewhere. Not only is Osweiler still fairly young (26), but the ex-Bronco brings size (6-foot-7, 240 pounds), a big arm and a second-round pedigree (2012) to the table.

AFC Notes: Brock, Ware, Bell, Raiders, Colts

August 30th, 2017 at 1:23pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The odds of the Browns releasing quarterback Brock Osweiler and eating his fully guaranteed $16MM salary have seemingly increased in recent days, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk contends. Cleveland saved $15.25MM – nearly the sum of Osweiler’s salary – by releasing defensive lineman Desmond Bryant and cornerback Joe Haden in the past week-plus, which could make it easier to part with the QB now that he won’t be its starter, Florio posits. Osweiler is unlikely to garner any trade interest, so cutting the 26-year-old would enable the Browns to recoup a bit of his salary ($775K) if he signs elsewhere for the league minimum.

North Notes: Osweiler, Trubisky, Carey

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:55pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest from the North:

With DeShone Kizer likely to open the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback, the probable runner-up in the competition, Brock Osweiler, is now on the trade block. The problem is that the Browns are unlikely to find a taker for him, even though they’re willing to eat around $10MM of his $16MM salary if the right offer comes along, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. The Browns wanted at least a third-round pick for Osweiler when they were shopping him in March, according to Cabot, which is a preposterous asking price when you consider the struggles he had in Houston last season. While Cleveland did give up a fourth-rounder to acquire Osweiler from the Texans, it also received a second- and sixth-rounder just to take on his bloated contract. Regarding the possibility of the Browns flipping the 26-year-old before Week 1, an NFL personnel executive told Cabot, “Good luck with that.”
The Bears will give rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky some first-team reps in their preseason game against the Titans on Sunday, which is the latest sign that the second overall pick will emerge as their starter sometime this year, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes. Trubisky’s preseason play has easily trumped free agent signing Mike Glennon‘s (granted, the former has faced lesser competition thus far), but the job still belongs to the veteran, according to head coach John Fox. “Right now, Mike Glennon is the starter,” Fox said. “He’s going to start preseason (Game) 3, which is a pretty good indicator where you start the (regular) season. I’ll leave it at that.”
Bears running back Ka’Deem Carey underwent wrist surgery and will miss approximately six weeks, Fox told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune and other reporters on Wednesday (Twitter link). Carey, who’s behind Jordan Howard and Kendall Langford on the Bears’ depth chart, has totaled just 111 carries since they chose him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. He averaged 3.9 yards on 32 attempts last season.

Browns Shopping QB Brock Osweiler

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:56am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will not play Brock Osweiler in Saturday’s preseason game, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Browns are looking to trade him, but that is nothing new, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter) hears. The Browns have been making calls about Osweiler throughout camp, according to sources.

Reviews of Osweiler have generally been positive this summer, but rookie DeShone Kizer has also impressed in practice. On Wednesday morning, we learned that Kizer will be starting on Saturday against the Buccaneers. It was assumed that Osweiler would be the QB2 for that third preseason game, but we now know that he won’t be suiting up at all.

The Jaguars are among the teams that could use a veteran signal caller like Osweiler given the way that Blake Bortles has struggled. The Ravens, who have been in the hunt for an upgrade over backup Ryan Mallett, could also consider a QB like him.

It doesn’t sound like the Browns are hellbent on trading Osweiler and they are indicating that he could still win the starting job between now and Week 1. Even if he doesn’t beat out Kizer, he could be a valuable reserve. If possible, however, one has to imagine that the Browns would like to move Osweiler and get some of his $16MM salary off of the books.

Osweiler came to Cleveland in a deal that was largely unprecedented for the NFL. The Browns received a 2018 second-round pick and a sixth-round pick in exchange for the QB (and his exorbitant salary) and a fourth-round choice.

Extra Points: Browns, Kizer, Falcons

August 23rd, 2017 at 8:37am CST by Zachary Links

Browns coach Hue Jackson announced that DeShone Kizer will start the team’s third preseason game against Tampa Bay. This as a sign that Kizer is in the lead for the Browns’ starting QB job, despite talk of Brock Osweiler being in the catbird seat this summer.

“He is certainly positioning himself well to earn the starting job heading into the regular season,” said the coach.

In two preseason games, the Notre Dame product has completed 19-of-31 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. Kizer also added 47 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. The Browns’ season begins on Sept. 10 when they face the Steelers in Cleveland.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Newly signed Falcons tackle Austin Pasztor is dealing with a pectoral injury, as D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. He will not play in Saturday’s preseason game and there is no definitive word on his status for Week 1 one way or the other. He is expected to serve as the first tackle off of the bench behind starters Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder.
As expected, Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. has been officially charged with first degree misdemeanor battery, criminal mischief, and petty theft, per TMZ Sports. Fowler was originally arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida in mid-July following an incident of apparent road rage. Subsequent reports have indicated Fowler was also arrested in March 2016 after an altercation with a police officer. If convicted, Fowler could face a year in jail.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell announced that he’ll be joining the team next Friday.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Broncos, Douglas, Osweiler

August 20th, 2017 at 11:53am CST by Rory Parks

Broncos QB Paxton Lynch did not play particularly well in last night’s preseason contest against the 49ers. He completed 9-of-13 passes for just 39 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions, which culminated in a 72.3 quarterback rating. He also rushed three times for 27 yards. While he showed some promise, he also displayed difficulties reading and reacting to defenses, and he was thoroughly outplayed by Trevor Siemian, leading Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post to believe that Denver’s quarterback competition may be over and that Siemian may have won it for the second straight year. Head coach Vance Joseph said it would be ideal to name a winner prior to next week’s third preseason game, but he added, “The timeframe is not important. What’s important is we get it right, so it could be this week, it could be next week. But we’re going to go back and watch the tape and see where we are.”

Now let’s take a look at a few more notes from the AFC:

Chiefs running back Charcandrick West is one of the most popular players in the Kansas City clubhouse, but thanks to the emergence of rookie Kareem Hunt and the revival of C.J. Spiller, his roster spot is in jeopardy, as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes. The Chiefs could keep four running backs, but Paylor suggests that is somewhat unlikely unless the team is confident West or Spiller could also line up as a slot receiver if necessary.
Titans wideout Harry Douglas managed just 15 catches for 210 yards and no touchdowns last year, and he accepted a $2MM paycut this offseason, which, combined with Tennessee’s revitalization of its WR corps, suggests that Douglas’ days in Nashville could be numbered. But as Jason Wolf of the Tennessean writes, head coach Mike Mularkey considers Douglas “invaluable,” and the coaching staff prizes his vocal and veteran presence, consistent route-running, and capable blocking. As such, Wolf believes Douglas may actually be a lock to make the roster, though his playing time will again be limited.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says the game still looks a little too fast for DeShone Kizer, so she believes Brock Osweiler has the inside track to open the season as the Browns‘ starting quarterback, which is consistent with reports we have been hearing over the past several weeks.
In a piece discussing Maxx Williams‘ promising performance during the Ravens‘ preseason victory over the Dolphins Thursday night, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun wrote that Williams is competing with Larry Donnell and Vince Mayle for Baltimore’s No. 3 TE job (behind Ben Watson and Nick Boyle). Williams, a 2015 second-round selection, underwent unique and serious knee surgery last year, but he easily has the most promise of any tight end on the roster. Even if he is technically competing for the No. 3 job at the moment, more performances like the one he had on Thursday could catapult him up the depth chart.
Former Ravens LB Zach Orr, who recently announced he was hanging up his cleats for good, could be rejoining Baltimore in another capacity. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com says head coach John Harbaugh is interested in bringing Orr back as a scout or coach.

AFC Rumors: Osweiler, Flacco, Bills, Jaguars

August 18th, 2017 at 9:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earlier this week, Joe Thomas was asked if he could name all 18 quarterbacks the Browns have started during his tenure. The perennial All-Pro left tackle passed the test, and with Cody Kessler having been demoted to third string for now, that number figures to expand to at least 19 this season. Thomas believes the other veteran in the clubhouse will be the Week 1 starter.

“I might be going out on a limb here, but I think they’re grooming Brock (Osweiler) to be the starter in Week 1 based on what I’ve seen,” Thomas said, via the Associated Press’ Tom Withers. “It is a competition, but I would expect Brock to win because of his experience.”

Osweiler’s primary competition is now DeShone Kizer, the team’s second-round pick who fared well against Saints backups in the Browns’ preseason opener. Kizer remains in the mix due to a combination of physical skills and instincts for the position, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes.

Here’s the latest out of the AFC:

John Harbaugh, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, said Joe Flacco won’t practice this coming week as the Ravens starting quarterback continues to recover from a back injury. This will mean four straight weeks without practice for the 10th-year passer, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport points out (via Twitter). The plan remains for Flacco to start in Week 1 against the Bengals, but if the 32-year-old signal-caller doesn’t practice during Week 3 of the preseason, the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zreibec notes (on Twitter) Flacco will get two weeks at most of work before the Baltimore opener. And Zreibec is skeptical he will get that much work (Twitter link).
Reggie Ragland has yet to assimilate well into Sean McDermott‘s scheme, and Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News expects the Bills to attempt to trade the ex-Alabama stalwart. Carucci notes a trade to a team that uses a 3-4 defense would make sense. Buffalo has shifted to a 4-3, and the 2016 second-round pick’s current status — stationed on the third team — is not exactly acceptable for such a big recent investment. PFR’s Dallas Robinson put Ragland on his list of trade candidates.
Should Cordy Glenn‘s foot trouble linger much longer, Carucci expects the Bills to target outside tackle help. Specifying the waiver wire as the player-procurement practice of choice to add a tackle, Carucci notes second-round rookie Dion Dawkins would be the top in-house option to start there if Glenn is unable to man his post. After Austin Pasztor‘s Falcons agreement, the tackle market looks thin. McDermott said (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com) he’s not quite ready to relocate Dawkins from the right tackle competition, where he’s battling incumbent Jordan Mills. However, Dawkins took left-edge reps Friday in practice, while Seantrel Henderson — suspended for the season’s first five games — lined up at right tackle.
Tom Coughlin‘s brought some old-school training techniques to Jaguars camp. Albert Breer of SI.com observed the Jags doing up-downs following their joint practice with the Patriots, and this didn’t sit well with some Jacksonville players. One told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio the rarely utilized conditioning method will shorten his career “by at least two years.” While that may be an extreme estimate, Florio adds other Jaguars have grumbled about the throwback conditioning style. Florio notes Coughlin is believed to have pushed for a greater conditioning emphasis.

Dolphins Considered Teddy Bridgewater

August 7th, 2017 at 1:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Before the Dolphins brought Jay Cutler out of retirement, they considered a number of other quarterbacks. In addition to Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton, Miami also internally discussed Teddy Bridgewater of the Vikings, Brock Osweiler of the Browns, and Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert.

[RELATED: Dolphins Sign Jay Cutler]

As far as we know the Dolphins didn’t get far enough to reach out to the Vikings about a potential Bridgewater trade and that makes sense considering his murky medical situation. Bridgewater is currently on the PUP list and no one knows what his status will be to start the season. It’s possible that Bridgewater’s gruesome knee injury from 2016 will keep him off the field until 2018. Even then, no one knows what kind of player he will be once he’s ready to return.

Osweiler was mentioned early on as a possibility when Ryan Tannehill suffered his knee injury, but the Browns rejected at least one trade offer for him this offseason and they’re leaning towards starting him in Week 1. The Browns may reconsider that position if the right offer comes their way, but the Dolphins are no longer a potential suitor after landing Cutler.

Browns Reject Brock Osweiler Trade Offer

August 7th, 2017 at 9:19am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will start quarterback Brock Osweiler in the team’s preseason opener against New Orleans, head coach Hue Jackson announced Monday. And, apparently, it’s not to showcase him to other teams.

Pat McManamon of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears the Browns are starting Osweiler because he is their best option at quarterback and not because he is potential trade bait. When the Browns first acquired Osweiler from Houston this offseason, it seemed likely that they would flip him to a team desperate for a quarterback. Now, Cleveland seems prepared to keep him for themselves. In fact, the Browns have already turned down a trade proposal for Osweiler this offseason, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

“A lot goes into our evaluation but it’s always going to be about efficiently and effectively running the offense,” Jackson said in the press release regarding Osweiler’s preseason start against the Saints. “You want your starter to be able to do that despite any circumstance. Brock hasn’t really gotten any first team reps and this will give him that chance. We look forward to seeing what he can do with this opportunity throughout the week and against the Saints.”

Cody Kessler will serve as the No. 2 QB against New Orleans and he’ll be followed by rookie DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan on the depth chart.

QB Rumors: Cutler, Browns, Lynch, Texans

August 5th, 2017 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins‘ quarterback situation has surged to the NFL news forefront this week, and on Saturday, the latest coming out of the possible Jay Cutler/Adam Gase reunion indicates the quarterback is leaning toward staying in the broadcast booth. One of the key elements in Cutler’s decision-making process will be his family, with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporting the 34-year-old passer is having a hard time making a commitment that would keep him away from them throughout this season.

ESPN’s James Walker adds a Ryan Tannehill surgery could shift Gase into a more aggressive recruiting mode for Cutler, with whom the Dolphins HC worked on the 2015 Bears. Cutler threw 25 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions for an injury-depleted Chicago offense that year. Matt Moore remains the Miami backup. Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Shaun Hill are among the top options in free agency if the Dolphins and Cutler don’t end up making an emergency-circumstance contract work.

But there are other fluid quarterback situations, some on teams expected to be contenders. Here’s the latest on the league’s signal-caller battles.

The Broncos held a scrimmage on Saturday, and they exited the workout with Trevor Siemian in a better place on his quest to hold off first-round pick Paxton Lynch. Siemian remained consistent, per Troy Renck of Denver7, who adds Lynch continued to struggle in that department. Renck notes Lynch has shown the kind of promise associated with a first-round talent at times during camp but has encountered noticeable lapses. Vance Joseph called Lynch’s outing Saturday “very solid” outside of an interception.
Hue Jackson will collaborate with second-year Browns power-structure heads Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta, seeking input on which quarterback he chooses to start the season, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. “I’d love to have their input,” Jackson said. “I want to see what they’ve seen and how they feel about it and we’ll kind of go from there.” Unlike last season, this quarterback competition is between players chosen by the new-era Browns front office. Cabot also suggests Jackson provided more signals he will tab DeShone Kizer for first-string work. Despite Kizer struggling in a Saturday scrimmage, Cabot expects the second-round pick to earn the start in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Saints next week. Jackson added “it’s fair to assume” he will have his starter in place by the Browns’ third preseason game.
Brock Osweiler, though, performed better than Kizer on Saturday, and ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi notes indications point to the trade acquisition being given elevated to starting status against the Saints. This would be a rather startling development considering Osweiler was acquired as a trade chip the Browns attempted to subsequently unload. Cody Kessler, Cleveland’s first-unit passer throughout the offseason, has struggled during camp, per Grossi. PFR’s readers voted Osweiler as the player the Browns should go with this season.
Equipped with a dominant defense, the Texans are expected to make a strong push to win a third straight AFC South title. They aren’t 100 percent decided on their quarterback, but John McClain of the Houston Chronicle notes (on Twitter) Tom Savage has been “clearly No. 1” ahead of Deshaun Watson. DeAndre Hopkins also threw his support behind the fourth-year player, whom the fifth-year receiver said “does everything well.” Bill O’Brien and, to a lesser degree, Rick Smith said before camp Savage will be the Texans’ Week 1 starter.

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