Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Osweiler signs one-year contract
QB reunites with Gase; will backup Tannehill
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Brock Osweiler to a one-year deal. Osweiler, the Denver Broncos’ 2012 second-round pick from Arizona State, played three years for Denver while coach Adam Gase was quarterbacks coach (2012) and offensive coordinator.
Osweiler, who spent the 2016 season in Houston before returning to Denver in 2017, is expected to serve as starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s backup for the 2018 season.
What’s unclear is whether Osweiler’s signing means the Dolphins have abandoned plans to draft a quarterback in the first round of the April 26-28 draft. Even if Miami doesn’t draft a quarterback in the first round they could still take one later in the draft.
Gase, a source said this week, “absolutely loves” Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. But it appears as though Mayfield will be gone by the time the Dolphins pick at No. 11. Osweiler’s acquisition could be the Dolphins accepting that as a likelihood.
Miami had quarterbacks David Fales and Brandon Doughty on the roster in addition to Tannehill. But it appears Miami doesn’t have faith in either Fales or Doughty as the top backup at this time.
Osweiler, at 6 feet 7, is an imposing figure but he hasn’t been successful as a starter. In 2015, the year the Broncos won the Super Bowl, Osweiler made seven starts, going 5-2, and finished with 10 touchdowns, six interceptions and an 86.4 passer rating.
He then signed a highprofile four-year, $72 million contract with $37 million guaranteed with Houston in 2016. But that was a bad marriage. After totaling 15 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and a 72.2 passer rating in 14 starts, Osweiler was dealt to Cleveland (Houston gave the Browns a second-round pick to take him), a move that took his $16 million guaranteed salary off the Texans’ books.
Osweiler returned to Denver in September 2017 after quarterback Paxton Lynch sustained a shoulder injury. Osweiler, 27, made four starts and finished with five touchdowns, five interceptions and a 72.5 passer rating. Ja’Wuan James’ replacement, and his presence helped stabilize Miami’s offensive line in the final months of the season.
Young, who was an unrestricted free agent, has spent the past two seasons with the Dolphins. He’s started 20 of the 76 games he’s played in his NFL career.
Young, an eight-year veteran, is the third offensive lineman added to the roster this offseason. The Dolphins traded for center Daniel Kilgore on the same day they released Mike Pouncey and signed veteran offensive guard Josh Sitton.