Denver Broncos

The Broncos may have some competition for Brock Osweiler

Published Mar. 8, 2016 11:29 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Denver Broncos have been grooming Brock Osweiler to be Peyton Manning’s successor for years, but now that Manning has retired is there a chance they might have just been getting him ready to sign with another team?

It’s been assumed that Osweiler, a 2012 second-round pick who went 5-2 in seven starts in place of Manning last season, would step right in as Denver’s starting quarterback if Manning retired. But there’s the little matter of the open market awaiting him when NFL free agency begins Wednesday.

It turns out the Broncos aren’t the only team with their eyes on making Osweiler their starting quarterback.

Houston Texans viewed as legitimate contender to sign Brock Osweiler (via @RapSheet): https://t.co/0eCupR7f6O pic.twitter.com/r1kY3fw3oa
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2016

NFL Media has reported that the Broncos have offered the 25-year-old Osweiler a three-year contract worth up to $45 million but that Osweiler will not accept it since he would not be able to renegotiate if he excels in 2016. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport adds that the Houston Texans are viewed as a legitimate threat to compete with Denver for Osweiler’s services.

Houston shuffled among Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden as starters last season and will be looking for an upgrade in free agency or possibly with the 22nd pick in the NFL Draft.

It’s worth noting that the last two quarterbacks to sign — Sam Bradford with the Eagles ($17.5 million per year for two years) and Kirk Cousins with the Redskins ($19.95 million on a franchise tag) — both are being paid more than what the Broncos are reportedly offering Osweiler, who doesn’t have the track record of those two QBs, but a bidding war between the Broncos and Texans could force his price closer to that range.

The Broncos might be scrambling if Manning's longtime apprentice gets a break-the-bank offer from another team when free agency kicks off Wednesday. That would leave them with just one quarterback in Trevor Siemian, whose lone snap in the NFL was a kneel-down against Pittsburgh on Dec. 20.

Osweiler made $660,000 last season in the final year of his rookie contract. He's about to get a huge raise, somewhere in the range of $14 million annually, although it's not known how much money the Broncos are guaranteeing in their prove-it-to-us short-term offer.

The Texans are reportedly high on the 26-year-old passer who replaced an injured Manning last season before getting benched when Manning returned to the huddle for the Broncos' playoff run that culminated with their 24-10 win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50 last month.

Manning retired Monday, one month after winning his second Super Bowl.

On Tuesday, the sentimentality and celebration turned to the cold, hard reality of the NFL as the Broncos released three veterans to gain some financial flexibility: tight end Owen Daniels, right guard Louis Vasquez and long snapper Aaron Brewer.

Daniels, a 10-year veteran who spent his entire career with coach Gary Kubiak, caught three TD passes during the regular season and two more in the AFC championship against the Patriots. He followed Kubiak to Denver from Baltimore a year ago and ranked third on the Broncos in receptions (46), receiving yards (517) and TDs.

Vasquez was a three-year starter but was bogged down by injuries after an All-Pro season in 2013. And Brewer was a four-year starter who never had a bad snap after beating out Lonnie Paxton in 2012.

"These decisions are never easy, but we appreciate the contributions Louis, Owen and Aaron made to our team, especially during our Super Bowl run," general manager John Elway said.

Their releases created some $8.4 million in salary cap space, about double what Denver started the day with after clearing Manning's 2016 salary off the books.

The Broncos are bracing for the loss of several players, including Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, both of whom played big roles in Denver's Super Bowl win.

Jackson is headed to the Jaguars in a big-money deal.

"I talk to Malik, but our relationship is bigger than us being teammates," star linebacker Von Miller said Monday. "He's like a brother to me. I want him to be in the best possibly situation for him. You work so hard your whole life to put yourself in this position. Take advantage of the opportunity. He deserves everything that he's worked for."

Elway bought himself more time to work out a long-term deal with Miller by placing the team's exclusive franchise tag on the Super Bowl MVP last week. Miller said he's confident negotiations won't get contentious, but he wouldn't commit to attending voluntary OTAs if a deal isn't done by the time the offseason program starts April 18.

"We have great guys in the front office. I have great guys representing me. It's all positive," Miller said.

Placing the franchise tag on Miller, which freezes more than $14 million at the moment, might make it harder to keep Osweiler and some of Denver's other free agents.

"I know Mr. Elway is doing everything in his power to get those guys back," Miller said. "Part of the game. When you win a Super Bowl, it's hard to keep those teams together."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.