Brock Osweiler, yes, Brock Osweiler, officially returning to Denver

John Elway will always be loved in Denver, but Broncos Country isn’t happy about his decisions over the last few days.

After releasing Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward and undrafted rookie Kyle Sloter, who led the AFC in preseason passer rating, the team announced they will be re-signing much-maligned quarterback Brock Osweiler. The contract details have not been revealed.

Osweiler, who was released by the Cleveland Browns on Friday, will back up starting quarterback Trevor Siemian, as Paxton Lynch recovers from a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out for roughly five weeks.

The Broncos selected Osweiler with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7 quarterback played four seasons in Denver behind Peyton Manning, before bolting to Houston after his contract expired in early 2016. Osweiler was instrumental in Denver’s Super Bowl-winning 2016 season, starting seven games and throwing for nearly 2000 yards and seven touchdowns in the process.

Osweiler’s departure came just days after Manning announced his retirement from the NFL, leaving the Broncos without a starting quarterback only one month removed from a Super Bowl title. Rumors persisted that Osweiler refused to respond to texts and calls from Broncos players and management in the weeks before his decision to sign a four-year, $72 million contract with the Texans.

In Houston, Osweiler threw more interceptions than touchdowns and was benched after 14 starts. His performance was underwhelming, forcing the Texans to trade a second-round draft pick to the Browns to dump his contract. Osweiler lost the battle for Cleveland’s starting quarterback job to rookie DeShone Kizer, leaving him on the chopping block.

Osweiler will take home $16 million this season, more than Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. This number will be consistent regardless of his contract with the Broncos. The Browns will pay the difference between his original $16 million salary and his contract with Denver.