Brock Osweiler is focused on winning the No. 2 job.
QB maintains focus on role as the backup
DAVIE Dolphins quarterback Brock Osweiler is only thinking of the now.
He refuses to look back or even ahead. Osweiler is focusing solely on the moment as he competes for the backup position this season.
“The NFL is all about your current season,” Osweiler said. “Right now, I’m focused on the 2018 season, trying to be the best quarterback I can possibly be. I’m not worried about depth charts, anything like that. Right now, it’s about being here present in Miami and making the most of this opportunity.”
On Thursday, the first day of training camp, Osweiler was surprisingly working as the No. 3 quarterback behind David Fales and starter Ryan Tannehill. Fales, in just his fourth season, is far less accomplished than Osweiler.
A second-round pick in 2012, Osweiler has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 6,171 yards, 31 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He a career passer rating of 76.5 and earned a Super Bowl ring as Peyton Manning’s backup in 2016.
Gase insists it’s too early to place much stock in depth charts, meaning Osweiler has plenty of opportunity to move up.
“The first week is about getting into a good rhythm and then possibly shuffle some things around once players put some things on tape,” Gase said.
Osweiler, 27, reunited with Gase when he was signed during free agency in March. Gase was the offensive coordinator, while Osweiler played for the Denver Broncos. The familiarity between them has already proven a bonus.
“The great thing about playing quarterback in Miami is we have phenomenal quarterback coaches,” Osweiler said. “As a player, that’s what you hope and dream for. I’m a firm believer that fundamentals lead to great play. That’s something that this coaching staff isn’t going to let slide. That’s why you’ll see all the quarterbacks continue to get better day by day.”
Thursday marked the first time Osweiler spoke with the local media. He said he is coming off “probably my best spring as a pro.”
“I think the spring went really well,” Osweiler said. “But that was spring ball, and now we’re into the real thing, and this is really what matters and this is what really counts.”
The Dolphins are all too familiar with the importance of a capable backup. Tannehill missed all last season because of a knee injury and was sidelined the final three regular season games and playoff opener in 2016.
“You never know when your number is going to get called, so you can’t get into where you’re at on the depth chart,” Osweiler said. “You just need to focus on yourself, your game and getting better.”
Osweiler said he spent most of the offseason working on the fundamentals. Among them were finding a consistent throwing motion and improving mobility.
“My deal isn’t getting so much caught up in the results,” Osweiler said. “I like to focus on the process. Was today perfect? No, but it’s all about getting a little better every single day, focusing on the process. If you focus on that rather than the results, come November, December, January, you’re going to be where you want.”