Where have we seen this before? Brock Osweiler comes in for Broncos at QB

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer
Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler came in for the Broncos when Trevor Siemian went out with an injury. (AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler came in for the Broncos when Trevor Siemian went out with an injury. (AP)

This time, Brock Osweiler was the Denver Broncos quarterback coming in for the struggling starter, instead of being the struggling starter himself.

How strange it was to see Osweiler on the field again for the Broncos on Sunday night, even if it was brief? The last time Osweiler played for the Broncos was 2015. Denver was going nowhere on offense in a Week 17 game against the San Diego (!) Chargers and he was yanked for Peyton Manning. We all know the wild ride for the Broncos and Osweiler since then. A Super Bowl title for Manning. An ugly, ugly season after a big contract with the Houston Texans for Osweiler.

Osweiler was back under center for the Broncos late in the first half on Sunday night. Osweiler had to go in when starter Trevor Siemian hurt his left shoulder diving to tackle New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Even if Siemian was healthy, he was struggling badly. Siemian completed 11-of-23 passes for 148 yards and two costly interceptions. The Broncos were expected to roll over the undermanned Giants, but trailed 17-3 instead. Before the injury it seemed like the Broncos might have to at least consider a quarterback change with the offense stalled. But Siemian was OK and was cleared to start the second half.

It’s still strange and a bit humorous to see Osweiler back with the Broncos. There were hard feelings when Osweiler turned down the Broncos, who reportedly offered him about $16 million a season. Instead Osweiler went to the Texans for $72 million over four years. Osweiler was terrible last season, was traded to the Browns in March and cut by Cleveland before the season started. The Broncos picked him up because Paxton Lynch was hurt and they needed a backup.

Just think of how crazy it would have sounded a year-and-a-half ago had someone told you Osweiler would be take even a few snaps this season at quarterback for the Broncos. Life comes at you fast.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!