When the Houston Texans gave Brock Osweiler a 4-year, $72 million deal with $37 million guaranteed prior to the 2016 season, they expected him to be a franchise quarterback. He wasn't.
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After the 2016 season, the Texans traded a second round pick to the Cleveland Browns just to rid themselves of Osweiler's contract. It was unclear what the Browns intended to do with Osweiler, but he's still on the roster, and he expects to compete for the starting QB position.
Related: Browns make a decision on the future of QB Brock Osweiler
Osweiler was asked about whether he can still be a starting QB in the NFL, and he believes that he can.
"I think the proof is in the film from the past two years," Osweiler said.
He also said he knows he has to prove himself on the practice field.
"My expectation is always to start," Osweiler said. "But once again that is not my decision to make. Now if I came out here and told you guys I wanted to be the backup then I'm in the wrong business."
While it's good to hear Osweiler is still optimistic and positive about his chances to start, his film the last two years doesn't back up his statements. Osweiler threw more interceptions than touchdowns in 2016, and he completed less than 60 percent of his passes.
How bad was he How bad has Osweiler been? His 71.4 QBR ranks him as the second worst quarterback in the league, behind Blake Bortles (wow), Case Keenum (double wow) and Colin Kaepernick —- and none of those guys have been lighting it up. He's ahead of only the horrible Ryan Fitzpatrick, who lost his job to the fourth-round project, Bryce Petty.
His competition isn't too stiff in Cleveland, and he will compete with Cody Kessler and rookie DeShone Kizer for the starting QB job. But there isn't too much reason for optimism unless Osweiler makes drastic improvements.
(h/t Pro Football Talk)
