Houston Texans Trade QB Brock Osweiler To Cleveland Browns

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans have made a major move that no one saw coming as NFL free agency got underway way on Thursday. After one disappointing season in Houston following the signing of deal worth $72 million, quarterback Brock Osweiler has been traded to the Cleveland Browns.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Osweiler heads to Cleveland along with a second-round draft pick:

The Texans are trading quarterback Brock Osweiler and a 2018 second-round pick to Cleveland, which will take Osweiler’s $16 million guaranteed salary off of Houston’s books, league sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

In 15 regular season games for the Texans, Osweiler threw for 2,957 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Osweiler never really filled the role the team hoped for after signing him to such a lucrative deal following his short stint with the Denver Broncos.

As for the Browns, it doesn’t appear that the team is planning to make him their starting quarterback. Osweiler could be on the move once again, via ESPN:

While Osweiler is technically coming to Cleveland in the deal, league sources tell ESPN’s Pat McManamon that the team is not acquiring him to be its quarterback. Teams have already reached out to the Browns to inquire about Osweiler’s availability, team sources tell Schefter.

With Osweiler no longer a problem for head coach Bill O’Brien and company, the Texans may have thrust themselves into the lead to sign veteran quarterback Tony Romo. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to release Romo but there’s a chance they could still try to trade the veteran quarterback.

Needless to say, the Texans and Browns are not done trying to solve their problems at the quarterback position. Both teams could remain active moving forward.