Houston Texans

Texans trade Brock Osweiler to Browns, who reportedly might cut the QB

Published Mar. 9, 2017 6:04 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Houston Texans apparently have had enough of Brock Osweiler as their quarterback. A little more than a year after signing him to a four-year, $72 million contract, the Texans dealt the 26-year-old, a sixth-round pick in 2017 and a second-round pick in 2018 to the Cleveland Browns for a fourth-round pick Thursday.

“We are committed to bringing a championship to the city of Houston,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. “We are exhaustive in our efforts and the resources provided by the McNair family allow us to operate in that way. We continuously evaluate our decision and processes to ensure the results match our goals and objectives. The decision to trade Brock was made because it was in the best interest of the team. It frees up both cash and salary cap room to continue to improve our football team. We appreciate Brock’s effort and leadership while he was with us and we wish him and his family well.”

Browns general manager Sashi Brown sounded thrilled about adding the second-round pick but didn't show that same level of enthusiasm for Osweiler.

“We’re really excited to acquire a second round draft choice in this trade,” Brown said in a statement. “Draft picks are extremely important to our approach in building a championship caliber football team. We are intent on adding competition to every position on our roster and look forward to having Brock come in and compete.”

The Browns now assume the remainder of Osweiler’s deal, according to the reports. But Osweiler might not want to get too comfortable in Cleveland, which reportedly is seeking to either trade or possibly cut the quarterback.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/839950730526068736

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/839951319431589889

Osweiler had a rocky season in his first year as a starter, completing 59 percent of his passes while throwing 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He was benched late in the season and regained his starting spot when backup QB Tom Savage suffered an injury. Osweiler didn't take advantage of the opportunity when he was reinserted as starter, completing 57 percent of his attempts while throwing two touchdowns to three interceptions.

Osweiler spent his first four seasons with the Broncos after Denver drafted him in the second round in 2012. He was mainly the backup until 2015, when he started seven games for an injured Peyton Manning, leading the Broncos to a 5-2 mark while throwing 10 touchdowns to six interceptions in that span.

Manning retired shortly after the Broncos won the Super Bowl, paving the way for Osweiler to take over. But the Texans rolled the dice and gave Osweiler that four-year deal that included $37 million guaranteed.

If the Browns keep Osweiler, it would signal that Cleveland likely will not take a quarterback with the first overall pick in this year's draft. The trade also could mean the end of Robert Griffin III's time with the Browns, who might try to trade the veteran quarterback or see if he's willing to be a backup.