NFL Free Agency, 3/9: Brock Osweiler Chooses Texans Over Broncos and More

Things are happening in the NFL, as the 2016 NFL free agency period is alive and well. Players are agreeing to terms and other players are being cut, and it’s all happening in quite the flurry. The chatter is ongoing and we’re keeping tabs on all the latest big name moves and how they could impact the respective teams involved. Here’s what is hitting the airwaves on Wednesday in pro football:

Houston Hits it Big

Brock Osweiler, apparently annoyed with the Broncos for being benched and for being offered a contract not befitting of a franchise quarterback, has decided to move on. Per reports, Osweiler has chosen the Houston Texans over the Broncos, accepting a deal that will make him the team’s starter for 2016 and likely beyond.

This is a huge get for the Texans, who get an immediate upgrade over the pedestrian Brian Hoyer. While not necessarily special, the 25-year old Osweiler did exhibit some upside as Denver’s starting quarterback in seven games last year (5-2 as a starter) and has had plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the game behind Peyton Manning the last few years. He’s no lock to be the answer for Houston, but he has shown an ability to manage games and even win games. If the Texans can step up defensively and in the ground game, Osweiler could be enough to get them deep into the playoffs.

He won’t be trying to do so without some help, either, as Adam Schefter has reported that Lamar Miller will be coming to town to replace the recently cut Arian Foster.

The Texans have agreed to hand Miller a four-year, $26 million deal with roughly $14 million in guaranteed cash. In miller the Texans get a very talented, explosive and versatile running back that gives them what an aging and regressing Foster used to. While not the steady presence Foster was, Miller is just 25 and still has untapped potential. He was also being wasted in Miami and saw a combination of earnings, role and winning in Houston. The Texans suddenly look pretty scary going into 2016.

Jets Land Forte

New York lost running back Chris Ivory today, but in a sense upgraded over him with the signing of former Bears running back, Matt Forte. Forte walks away from the Bears to join a solid Jets team on the brink of a deep playoff run. Forte should take over New York’s lead rusher role immediately and reunites with former Chicago wide receiver, Brandon Marshall. It’s worth wondering how much Forte has left in the tank as a true feature back, but his play did not appear to be slipping yet in 2015. Hypothetically, New York just got a lot better offensively and could be a real problem coming out of the AFC East next season.

Denver in Panic Mode?

With Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler leaving, the Broncos are in a rough spot at the quarterback position all of a sudden. Reports suggest the team could take a flier on Robert Griffin III, but that might not be their best course of action. There has also been some talk about them bringing in journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick or even signing Johnny Manziel, while drafting a quarterback early is also a real possibility.

Detroit Grabs Megatron Insurance

Calvin Johnson retired on Tuesday and sounds like he’s not going to return to football, so the Lions wisely took a positive step towards making up for that huge loss. The team reportedly agreed to terms with former Bengals receiver Marvin Jones, who will earn $40 million over the next five years.

Jones himself is not an answer for the loss of one of the league’s top receivers, but his raw talent arguably was never fully on display in Cincinnati. Jones doesn’t have to do it all by himself, either, as he will share the top two wide receiver spots with Golden Tate, while tight end Eric Ebron should have a bigger role in his third NFL season.

Bucs Keep The Muscle Hamster

Doug Martin was the top free agent running back and was expected to price himself out of Tampa Bay. That didn’t happen. Per reports, Martin will stay in Florida as the Bucs’ lead running back thanks to a massive five-year, $35 million deal. Martin, 27, will earn $15 in guaranteed cash and can bring in another $6 in incentives. Martin was an expensive player to retain, but could be vital in the growth of Jameis Winston and a young Bucs offense.