Shortly after Texans backup Tom Savage led his squad to a comeback victory over the Jags, the Broncos fell to the New England Patriots and the much-hated Tom Brady by an embarrassing score of 16-3. Once again, Denver's offense was inept, wasting another strong performance by the defense and all but dooming the Broncos' chances of making the playoffs and being able to defend their Super Bowl championship.
Somehow, though, the sight of Osweiler cooling his heels on the sidelines as Texans fans celebrated provided balm for the wounds inflicted by the Pats. Osweiler was supposed to be Peyton Manning's successor, but when he got his feelings hurt over being pulled from the final game of last year's regular season in favor of PFM, he spurned Denver's efforts to re-sign him in favor of a $72 million contract offer from the Texans. This move prompted incredible anger from members of Broncos Nation on Twitter and understandable delight when Brock and company lost to Denver back in October — and his benching has made smiles grow even wider.
Not that the Broncos are in great shape offensively. Trevor Siemian doesn't look like a long-term solution at QB for the squad (the pick he threw in the first half yesterday was a humiliating crusher), and supposed signal-caller-of-the-future Paxton Lynch conjured uncomfortable memories of Tim Tebow the last time he took the field.
But at least Broncos general manager John Elway didn't up his (admittedly hefty) offer to Osweiler in order to best the Texans. Otherwise, a Denver-free NFL post-season would be even more depressing to contemplate.
Continue to see our picks for the ten most memorable Broncos-oriented tweets about Brock Osweiler's benching — including one from former Westword contributor turned comedian Adam Cayton-Holland.
Number 1:
#Broncos fans let's focus on the positive, Brock Osweiler isn't on our roster. #winning
— Andrew Thurber (@AndrewThurber) December 19, 2016
Number 2:
I'm no Broncos fan but I laughed at Brock getting benched.
— Nick Harris (@nick_harris) December 19, 2016
Number 3:
I just love how Brock Osweiler has had an awful year! Thank god the Broncos didn't sign him He's
— Cade Kloster (@Cade_Kloster13) December 19, 2016
Number 4:
The @Broncos O played awful yesterday BUT it could have been worse. We could have signed Brock for 72 mil. Elway deserves GM of the year
— Bobby Russo (@CoachRusso17) December 19, 2016
Number 5:
@RealSkipBayless
— DanKelso (@DanKelso1) December 19, 2016
Broncos need a QB. Thank goodness they didn't pay Brock.
Romo will be starting QB for Broncos next year.
Continue for more top tweets about former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler being benched in the Houston Texans' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday.
Number 6:
Brock scammed the NFL he ain't worth that $72 Ms that's y broncos wasn't tripping letting him go they knew it was the defense
— IG: @Mr_fr3shly (@mrfr3shly) December 19, 2016
Number 7:
As I said earlier, the Broncos didn't take nothing but L's today, just the fact that we didn't pay Brock Osweiler 72 million to get benched
— Ricky (@EnriqueJuan_) December 19, 2016
Number 8:
@woodypaige hey Woody, at least Broncos didn't match Texans' offer to Brock. Gotta find the silver lining here.
— John Anglim (@johnkanglim) December 19, 2016
Number 9:
John Elway is a genius. The Denver @Broncos paid a lousy QB 71 Million dollars less than Brock Osweiler. The #Texans screwed up.
— Peter Thiele (@PeterThiele) December 19, 2016
Number 10:
Whelp, the Broncos suck but at least they're not as bad as Brock Osweiler
— Adam Cayton-Holland (@CaytonHolland) December 19, 2016
