6 unlikely NFL reunions that actually happened in recent history
Strange NFL reunion no. 5: Brock Osweiler back to the Denver Broncos
QB. Denver Broncos. 45. Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis. Brock Osweiler. 5
Although he’s perhaps the least “notable” player on this list, there was a time when Brock Osweiler was supposed to be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning with the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos’ long-term plans with Osweiler had actually seemed to work out almost by the book.
Manning played four seasons in Denver, and in his fourth year — which was also Osweiler’s fourth year — he suffered an injury that caused Osweiler to have to take his place in the starting lineup.
The Broncos’ offense wasn’t exactly unstoppable when Osweiler was inserted into the lineup, but he did help lead the team to some outstanding wins contributing to their first-place finish in the AFC West and top overall seed in the AFC.
In the regular season finale, the Broncos’ offense was stalling and turning the ball over against the Chargers. Peyton Manning was healthy and went into the game as the backup to Osweiler.
As the turnovers started mounting — few of which were actually Osweiler’s fault — head coach Gary Kubiak called on The Sheriff and the Broncos rallied to beat San Diego, earning that top seed in the AFC which would have otherwise gone to the Patriots had Denver lost.
That benching apparently didn’t sit well with Osweiler, who then spurned the Broncos’ offer in 2016 free agency to return as the team’s solidified starter.
He signed a big-money deal with the Houston Texans without even a tour of the facility or meeting with the coaching staff, which isn’t altogether uncommon, but in hindsight might have worked out well for both parties.
The impulsive four-year deal for Osweiler and the Texans was obviously short-lived. He got his lunch handed to him in a regular season matchup against the Broncos in 2016, and Osweiler found himself unemployed in 2017.
At the time of roster cuts, the Broncos needed a backup QB to Trevor Siemian and Osweiler became available.
Osweiler was so gung-ho at the time to get back to Denver he said he’d have signed for a dollar.
Osweiler returned to Denver in September of 2017 and wound up actually starting a few games for the team that year.
Ultimately, it didn’t amount to anything long-term of course, and the Broncos moved on to Case Keenum in 2018.