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The Lede: Browns Swallow Osweiler Contract

Matt McEwan

by Matt McEwan in NFL Football

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:39 AM PST

Osweiler jogging off the field
By Jeffrey Beall (Own work) [CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Don’t have time to read through 1,000 words, but need some informed betting tips? Here’s a quick rundown on today’s biggest sports story, and how it impacts the way you should bet. Miss yesterday’s? See it here.

Texans Trade Brock Osweiler to Browns

One year ago, The Houston Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72-million contract with $37 million guaranteed. Yesterday, the Texans gave the Browns a second-round draft pick just to get rid of Osweiler and his bloated salary. This sort of salary-offloading trade is rare in the NFL, but common to the NHL and NBA.

Cleveland had more than $100 million in cap space before the deal, and certainly was not going to be able to spend it all. But don’t expect to see Osweiler slinging balls (to the opposing team) while wearing a Browns jersey this year. No, not because Hue Jackson is going to turn him into an elite quarterback, rather he is not going to be a Brown for long. Cleveland has already announced they will either trade Osweiler or outright release him. Basically, Sashi Brown just paid $16 million for an extra second-round pick. That seems like a steep pricetag, but Cleveland can afford it. It was a genius move by an organization that’s in the midst of a massive rebuild.

The trade also looks good for the Texans, who now have that horrible contract off their books. The Texans were a little pressed for cap space (less than $15 million), and knew they could not contend for a Super Bowl with Osweiler at the helm. The extra cap space gives Houston the flexibility to go after soon-to-be free agent Tony Romo. (Just do it already, Jerry!) Though it may sound like a joke, Houston’s Super Bowl odds just got shorter by casting themselves into complete uncertainty at the QB position. This move makes them a safe bet to repeat in the AFC South, and a bit of a dark-horse for SBLII.

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