When you accomplish the highest honor as a team, it should mean something. Players should want to celebrate that achievement with those that they accomplished the feat with. Apparently, though, if you are Brock Osweiler, you do not think along those lines.
Osweiler appeared in eight games for the Denver Broncos in 2015. Osweiler’s play was a big factor that helped Denver to the No. 1 seed throughout the AFC playoffs, which ultimately helped the Broncos win their third championship.
The question is why Osweiler was absent for Denver’s trip to the White House and last Sunday night when the Broncos had their ring ceremony.
Missing the White House trip was understandable. Osweiler had to report to an OTA workout for his new team. Given the size of his new contract with the Houston Texans, Osweiler should be applauded for skipping a celebration trip in order to get familiar with his new teammates.
What’s really puzzling is why Osweiler did not take part in Denver’s ring ceremony. The Texans had no activities planned last Sunday night, but Osweiler made no effort whatsoever to board a plane and celebrate a championship with his former teammates.
Perhaps Osweiler’s feelings are a bit hurt that Peyton Manning got the nod to start at quarterback in the postseason. Or maybe Osweiler is terrified of John Elway and simply cannot look him in the eye after Osweiler made the decision to bolt Denver.
Elway drafted Osweiler in the second round in 2012, and he was groomed to be Manning’s replacement. Osweiler was offered a fair contract by the Broncos based on his track record with the organization. Houston slipped in with a huge contract offer at the last second and suddenly the plan that had been in place for the previous four years was gone.
Elway has been vocal during the offseason, venting his displeasure for how things did not work out with Osweiler. Deep down, Osweiler probably believes that he screwed up the Broncos plans by bolting for better cash.
It is fair to assume that a large reason why Osweiler was absent for the ring ceremony is the fact there is tension between himself and Elway. Many people would be nervous about seeing a former employer after bolting out of a four-year plan for more coin.
How else do you explain a guy like Osweiler, who always said the right thing about the team to the media, suddenly isolating himself from all that he spoke passionately about? It will be a media pleasure to welcome Osweiler and Texans into the Mile High City on Oct. 24.
To listen to more talk on Osweiler and the Broncos, listen below …
Catch the Weekend Drive with Sean Walsh Saturday and Sunday from 2p-4p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
