Houston Texans trade Brock Osweiler to Cleveland Browns

In a move with another move perhaps in mind, the Houston Texans will reportedly trade Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns.

The Cleveland Browns have had an active first day of NFL free agency, reportedly reaching an agreement with a wide receiver (Kenny Britt) and making multiple moves along the offensive line. With the most salary cap space in the league heading into the day, aggressive is the word of the day in Cleveland.

The Browns, as they have for as long as anyone can remember, have not found a quarterback with any staying power. It’s unclear if they now have one, but a move has been made to possibly fill that need. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns will acquire quarterback Brock Osweiler, a 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick from the Houston Texans for a 2017 fourth-round pick.

The Browns are taking on the $16 million in guaranteed money on Osweiler’s contract for this year, along with getting draft picks they clearly value. Osweiler would surely step right in as Cleveland’s starting quarterback, if only for one season, but not so fast.

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport insinuated, the Browns would be doing an NBA-style move by acquiring Osweiler just to release him on the back end. It’s definitely a different way to do business in the NFL, but nothing would stop the Browns from doing it.

With Osweiler off the books, now the Texans can more easily pursue Tony Romo via a trade or once he’s released by the Dallas Cowboys. That is the more interesting domino related to moving Osweiler and what’s left of his bad contract, as the door is now open for Romo to Houston.

Related Story: 5 reasons Tony Romo should sign with the Houston Texans

It’s been a quick fall of Osweiler, from starting games for an eventual Super Bowl winner in 2015 to being traded to Cleveland on Thursday. But he may not be with the Browns for long, so there’s some solace in that.