USA TODAY International Edition
QB likes chances
Ex- Bronco likes odds with Texans
Former Bronco Brock Osweiler says his long- term future is bright with the Texans,
Brock Osweiler sounded like a man on a roll at a blackjack table recently as he explained the inspiration behind his big offseason move and fresh start with the Houston Texans.
Never mind staying put with the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos as the successor to Peyton Manning. Osweiler hit the market in March and collected a whopping fouryear, $ 72 million contract from the Texans — about $ 2 million more a year than the Broncos offered — that surely demonstrates a man willing to bet on himself as an ultimate difference- maker.
“I didn’t have any anxiety or fear of following Peyton,” Osweiler told USA TODAY Sports during an offseason interview. “It was not a factor in the decision. I looked at it like, ‘ Where can I go and have long- term success?’
“A fresh start was exciting, but ultimately this is where I thought I could have the most success.” Take that, John Elway. Osweiler, reporting to camp this week, maintains that his chances of winning over the long haul are better as the triggerman in the sophisticated offense designed by Texans coach Bill O’Brien than they would have been if he had returned to a unit that just won a championship.
Sure, the Broncos have issues, with new quarterback Mark Sanchez working behind a rebuilt O- line and the defense missing a few key pieces from the title run.
But let’s clip and save the quarterback’s declaration that he’s better positioned for long- term success, with the Texans trying to get where the Broncos have been.
As Osweiler put it, “It’s fun to be chasing up that hill.”
Of course, the Texans are banking on Osweiler being right about their potential to emerge as a legitimate contender.
It can be so tough to land a franchise quarterback. After trying to win with Brian Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallett, among others, the last couple of years, the Texans — ousted from the first round of the playoffs in January with a mistakemarred meltdown by since- released Hoyer — were desperate enough to guarantee $ 39 million to a quarterback with seven NFL starts.
“The last couple of years, our choices were limited,” Texans owner Bob McNair told USA TODAY Sports. “You have to strike when the iron is hot. You don’t have many opportunities.”
Before the free agent market opened, the Texans contemplated trying to move up in the draft to land one of the hot rookie quarterbacks, Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, who went off the board with the top two picks. That would have represented another type of gamble and a huge cost for trading up.
“Predictability and probability,” Texans general manager Rick Smith summed up for USA TODAY Sports as he watched Osweiler during an offseason practice.
Smith and O’Brien did much to add layers that could spark a potent offense; there’s a new slasher of a running back in Lamar Miller and a first- round speed merchant in Will Fuller to complement star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
Yet there might not be a player in the entire NFL who will be more pressured to prove his worth than Osweiler, given his huge contract.
No doubt, pressure comes with the job for an NFL quarterback. In Osweiler’s case, his limited experience came under immense pressure last season as he filled in for injured Manning, and it ultimately worked out. Now a different type of pressure is presented with the development that surfaced last week when the NFL’s best defensive player, centerpiece defensive end J. J. Watt, had back surgery.
Although the Texans are hopeful Watt could return in time for the season opener, it is difficult to predict how long it will take for him to regain his MVP effectiveness.
In the meantime, there’s no replacing Watt’s impact on a unit that was expected to carry the Texans while the revamped offense found its stride and chemistry with all the new pieces.
O’Brien is impressed by the manner in which Osweiler attacked the offseason, including the inroads he made in establishing his leadership and the work ethic he demonstrated in learning an offense that puts a lot on the quarterback’s plate with pre- snap reads and adjustments.
“On Sundays, they are going to be looking at me for answers,” Osweiler said. “And I can’t run to the sideline and say, ‘ Hey coach, I have a question.’ ”
Osweiler has asked plenty of questions since arriving in Houston, trying to gain a thorough understanding of the concepts behind the plays. Typically, he’d show up to work during the offseason with a question sheet for O’Brien, seeking deep explanations.
Said O’Brien, “He’s the type to keep you on your toes as a coach.”
The Texans are surely hoping that’s ultimately a good thing.