Former Broncos QB Brock Osweiler Announces Retirement from NFL

Osweiler spent three seasons backing up Peyton Manning before posting a 5-2 record off the bench in 2015 to put Denver in position to win Super Bowl 50.

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler is calling it a career.

Osweiler, who had stints with the Broncos, Dolphins and Texans during his career, announced that he was retiring from the NFL on Wednesday.

"I’m extremely grateful for the time I did receive playing in the National Football League," Osweiler told 9News' Mike Klis. "The experiences I did have, people I did meet, relationships I did make -- I’m not going to dwell on the things that didn’t happen in my career.

"Being a kid from Kalispell, Montana, playing for the Denver Broncos, winning a Super Bowl, having the opportunity to sign a second contract – when you look back on it, I couldn’t be more appreciative," Osweiler added. "It was great."

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2012 draft, Osweiler spent three seasons backing up Peyton Manning before coming off the bench when Manning was injured during the second half of 2015. Osweiler's 5-2 record lifted Denver to the AFC West Division title and the No. 1 conference playoff seed. The Broncos ended up winning Super Bowl 50 that season.

"Brock was a great teammate," cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. "He was so huge for us in our Super Bowl run with how well he played when Peyton was injured. There is no way we get to that Super Bowl without Brock."

Osweiler signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Houston Texans that offseason but was later traded to the Browns following the 2016 season. He was then cut by Cleveland in 2017, briefly rejoining the Broncos before signing with the Dolphins.

Osweiler received interest from Atlanta, Indianapolis and the New York Jets since August but ultimately decided to retire after being unable to sign on to a full-season commitment.

"I have my health. I have the ring. There’s a lot of things I still wanted to accomplish. And I have a lot more left in the tank," Osweiler said. "But, hey, sometimes you don’t get that opportunity. And given that, it’s all good."