ENGLEWOOD—Citing work with his new job – and not citing awkwardness with his former employer – Brock Osweiler will not accompany his former Denver Broncos during their White House visit Monday.
Although the Broncos probably would not have reached Super Bowl 50 without Osweiler’s contribution as a fill-in starting quarterback last season, his decision to decline the chance to reunite with his old team was not a surprise.
A backup quarterback to Peyton Manning during his first 3 ½ seasons with the Broncos, Osweiler started the final seven games of the regular season, posting a 5-2 record. He was benched in favor of Manning in the second half of the Broncos’ regular-season finale against San Diego, however, and did not take a snap during the team’s undefeated, three-game postseason run.
A free agent after the season, Osweiler spurned the Broncos’ attempt to re-sign him, deciding instead to take a four-year, $72 million offer from the Houston Texans. During the free-agent process, Osweiler stopped communicating with his soon-to-be-former Broncos’ teammates.
There is little doubt Osweiler’s presence at the White House would have been awkward, although he didn’t mention that as a factor in declining the invite.
“The Broncos graciously extended an invitation for me to join them at the White House on Monday,” Osweiler said Wednesday. “But due to a scheduled OTA in Houston, I feel it is important to be at practice with my new teammates. It’s a new offensive system for me and every practice and rep is extremely important. I am very appreciative of the Broncos wanting to include me on this special day.’’
After blowing off the Broncos for their White House visit, the question now becomes whether Osweiler will attend the team’s Super Bowl ring ceremony on June 12 at soon-to-be-renamed Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
The Broncos will see Osweiler and the Texans on Oct. 24 when they meet in a week 7 regular-season game in Denver.
