ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — There were reports Thursday that the Broncos have made a competitive and substantial offer to quarterback Brock Osweiler.
He went 5-2 as a starter during the team’s Super Bowl winning season while Peyton Manning was recovering from a foot injury.
No details about the offer have been given, but it sounds like the sides will try to meet in the range of $12 million to $16 million per season.
I'm told the Broncos have made a substantial offer to Brock Osweiler.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 3, 2016
The Broncos haven't told Peyton Manning they'll cut him if he doesn't retire. Will allow him to decide his future & they'll go from there.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 3, 2016
Quarterback Sam Bradford threw 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. Despite those numbers, the Philadelphia Eagles just gave him a two-year, $36 million contract with $26 million guaranteed.
That made the price for Osweiler appear to go up. He becomes a free agent next week unless he re-signs with the Broncos, who are not expected to have Manning on the team.
It’s still early in the process, but if the Broncos don’t want the 25-year-old Osweiler to test the free agent market, they must make a deal with him by Monday, when exclusive negotiating rights ends.
Free agency begins March 9.