HOUSTON -- Finally, the Houston Texans have committed to a quarterback and they paid big money to make that happen. The Texans have agreed to contract terms with Broncos quarterback, Brock Osweiler and former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller.
It's a landmark day for the Texans franchise. Osweiler will sign with Houston for four years and $72 million. As part of Osweiler's contract, he will receive $37 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder.
The 25-year-old got the first 7 starts of his NFL career last season with Denver. He went 5-2, including wins over New England and Cincinnati that were key to getting Denver into the playoffs. Osweiler then gave way to Peyton Manning. He wanted more money than Denver offered and the Texans were ready.
Standing at 6'8", Osweiler is the tallest QB in the NFL. The 25 year old played college football at Arizona State University and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Texans fans are hoping Osweiler will help shape up the team.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," said Texans fan, Grant Jensen. I haven't seen a lot in the Bill O'Brien system to be super excited, I guess."
"I think I'll be all right if given the chance and the right coaching," said Texans fan, Edgar Ayala.
Houston will also add running back Lamar Miller, who reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $26 million contract.
Miller adds break away speed to the Texans offense. He's only 24-years-old and had 12 carries a m yards last season.
In the 2015 offseason, Houston signed Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer to backup quarterback-level deals then allowed the veterans to compete for the starting job. Hoyer initially won the competition, then was benched in the fourth quarter of the Texans' season opener in favor of Mallett.
Hoyer regained his starting job in Week 6. After the Texans beat the Jaguars in Hoyer's return, O'Brien said the team would stick with Hoyer.
Mallett missed the team's flight to Miami and flew commercial to join his teammates. That was the second time Mallett had tardiness issues. In preseason, he was late for practice two days after Brian Hoyer was named the team's starter, and sent home for the day. Mallet was eventually cut from the team. Former Texans QB T.J. Yates took Mallet's spot.
Yates, who was the team's third-string quarterback, in 2011 was thrust into action when Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart were both injured. With Yates under center, the Texans got their first-ever playoff victory, a win over the Bengals before being eliminated by Baltimore.