Texans owner: Brock Osweiler wanted to escape shadow of Elway, Manning

Bob McNair offered some insight into why quarterback Brock Osweiler left the defending Super Bowl-champion Denver Broncos to join the Texans.

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Houston Texans owner Bob McNair gave some insight into why quarterback Brock Osweiler left the defending Super Bowl-champion Denver Broncos to join his team, saying Monday that it was a mix of the team’s offense and Osweiler’s desire to create a legacy without Peyton Manning or John Elway, according to ESPN. 

According to McNair, these were the major factors that Osweiler’s agent shared with the team while they were negotiating a four-year, $72 million contract, which includes $37 million in guarantees.

While the ability to control an offense directed by coach Bill O’Brien was a factor for the 25-year-old, getting away from Denver may have been an even bigger draw for Osweiler.

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“Of course he had played behind Peyton [Manning] and with [executive vice president of football operations/general manager] John Elway there. Their shadows were quite large,” McNair said. “He was still going to be under that and compared to them. He has a chance to be a real hero in Houston.”

Osweiler went 5–2 in seven starts with the Broncos in 2015, but lost his starting job after Manning returned from a foot injury. Despite having arguably the worst season of his career, Manning eventually claimed his second Super Bowl title as Denver defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Super Bowl 50. 

Manning announced his retirement just days before the start of free agency.