The St. Louis Rams and the free agent (or close to) QB market

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Osweiler – Denver Broncos – Pending Free Agent

Of all the potential free agent quarterbacks in 2016 that have a realistic chance of staying with their current club, Osweiler holds the highest percentage of staying put. Drafted in 2012 as the predecessor to Peyton Manning, Osweiler finally got his first real taste of becoming a starting NFL quarterback this season after he took over for the injured Manning.

There’s just one problem, the Broncos are still struggling to score points. A franchise whose name is synonymous with winning wont put up with poor play at the quarterback position for long, but they are also unlikely to cut ties with a young up and coming quarterback.

Osweiler will likely break his career high for games played this season, which currently sits at five. In five games in 2015 he’s thrown for 1,140-yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Osweiler has all the weapons a young quarterback could want, including one of the best wide outs in the game in Demaryius Thomas, but he continues to struggle. His sample size is relatively small, and he may yet again be replaced by Manning should the team deem him healthy enough for the postseason. You wont get many opportunities playing behind a veteran like Manning, which means you need to make them count if you hope to ever get out from under the shadow.

Once again, Osweiler’s age and salary make him attractive to suitors in the free-agent market. He has yet to break the $1 million/year mark in salary after getting drafted in the second-round four years ago. Given the circumstances in Denver, it’s highly unlikely the team allows him to walk, especially given the health concerns surrounding Manning, but he hasn’t played like a capable starter. He will remain an interesting prospect at the position until the Broncos make him an offer to stay, but a change of scenery may be in the works.