Despite becoming a punchline following a disastrous 2016 season, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brock Osweiler is still confident in his ability to succeed
During the 2016 offseason quarterback Brock Osweiler was a hot topic. He opted to leave the defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos for the Houston Texans after four years of backing up Peyton Manning.
Despite having just seven career starts the Texans gave him a contract worth up to $72 million. After going 8-6 as a starter while throwing 15 touchdowns to 16 picks, Osweiler was dealt to the Cleveland Browns.
The belief was Cleveland would drop him right away as the Texans gave them a second-round choice in order to take on Osweiler's inflated salary. Yet with OTAs underway, Osweiler is still in Cleveland and trying to earn a spot. One thing that helps him is he has more than enough confidence in himself.
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He's not only convinced that there's enough good film on him out there, but says those who don't agree won't bother him. Here's what Osweiler said via Pat McManamon of ESPN:
"There was a coach that I played for in college, and he told me, only worry about the things that you can control," Osweiler said. "So from the time of the trade, that's all I've done. I couldn't be any more excited to be here. From the day I arrived, you couldn't have been welcomed in a better way."
Osweiler was working behind second-year quarterback Cody Kessler, but he has his sights higher than that. The former Arizona State signal-caller wants to win the starting spot, and sees no shame in feeling that way.
"If I came out here and told you guys I wanted to be the backup, I'm in the wrong business," he said. "Absolutely I want to play, and I want to help this football team win games. But I know there's a lot of work that needs to go into that, and ultimately I have to earn that on the practice field, and I have a lot of work ahead of me to do that."
Cleveland had a good draft by picking up defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku in the first round. There's also still a lot of hope that 2016 first-round pick, Corey Coleman, can develop into a full-fledged star in the NFL at wide receiver. If they also happen to get a serviceable quarterback in this offseason, it could be a very positive season in Cleveland.
