It is the dream of most NFL players to play deep into their thirties and for some daring ones even into their forties. In recent years, quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have achieved this feat, but unfortunately, Brock Osweiler could not live up to that dream as he was forced to retire in 2019 just before turning 30. The reason for his retirement is a complicated one that can be summarized as a bad decision sprinkled with a dose of bad luck.
Now out of football, many who loved and watched him play for years as back up to Manning at Broncos are wondering what he is up to, others are curious about his finances and how he’s keeping up without the million-dollar paychecks from the NFL. With good financial management in place, football, or no football, Brock Osweiller who played for 7 years in the NFL should be doing just fine, financially-speaking, and otherwise – he’s got a beautiful family with wife Erin.
How Brock Osweiller Made Over $40 Million In NFL Salary
Professional football for Osweiler began in 2012. Ranked by NFLDraftScout.com as the 6th best quarterback in the year’s NFL draft, the Denver Broncos drafted him the second round with the 57th overall pick.
Then came his first contract, a 4-year deal worth a little over $3.5 million. With superstar Peyton Manning as the starting QB for the Broncos, earning a start was out of sight for Osweiller, but Broncos’ manager, John Elway did not sign him with hopes that he would compete with Manning. He was brought on mainly to serve as Manning’s understudy and back-up, work hard while hoping to one day take over from him just like what Tom Brady did with Drew Bledsoe, but Osweiller’s story would turn to be a different one.
For the next three years, as predicted, Brock Osweiler served as a back-up to Manning, all the while taking notes from the legendary quarterback who would retire at the age of 40 in 2015. The first year that Osweiler got to start for the Broncos was in 2015, it was a period when Manning needed to rest his aching body and Osweiler proved equal to the task. He won his first game as a starter which was also on his birthday making him the first player to win his starting game also falling on their birthday.
Osweiler would go on to start 6 consecutive games, and then Manning returned to lead the franchise to the Super Bowl 50 game where Osweiler was active as his back-up, the Broncos won, giving Osweiler his first Super Bowl ring.
The Huge Second Contract That Unfortunately Became His Last
For the next season, Brock Osweiler was no longer with the Broncos. The Houston Texans were impressed by his performances at Broncos so much so that he was offered a four-year, $72 million contract with $37 million guaranteed much even to Osweiler’s shock. It was a big deal but which also came with bigger responsibilities that Osweiller, unfortunately, was not so prepared to shoulder.
Though his start was strong, his stats only waned as the season progressed. Osweiler threw more interceptions (a franchise record 16) than touchdowns (15) and a frustrated Texans had to trade him off to the Cleveland Browns who unknown to Osweiler did not really want him but were just interested in the Texans’ second-round pick so they just took up Osweiler’s contract from Houston Texans to get what they wanted – Sports Illustrated‘s article on Osweiler reveals.
Though Osweiler never got to play a game for the Browns, they were obligated to pay a part of his cap hit, but subsequently, Osweiler was cut as the Browns preferred DeShone Kizer. Brock went back to the Denver Broncos who only signed him for the minimum allowed $775,000. His contract with them lasted for just one year as he lost all the four games he started. As a result, the Browns paid off all of the outstanding on his guaranteed sum.
Brock Osweiler then got signed to the Miami Dolphins for a league minimum fee, but his career never bounced back, forcing him to announce an early retirement in October 2019. His total earning from the NFL was $41,396,679.
The Conundrum of His Early Retirement
Brock Osweiler was at the receiving end of online trolls due to his poor performance after joining the Houston Texans, something that could have perhaps been avoided had he remained at Denver…but it was not entirely his fault. The former quarterback had wanted to remain with the Denver Broncos after Super Bowl 50 but unfortunately, things did not progress as fast as he wanted, also a piece of honest yet erroneous advice from his agent played a role.
While his contract neared expiration and free agency drew near for the former quarterback, he awaited a call from Broncos manager Elway but it never came. His agent would then advise him not to receive the call if it came in at a later date. When Elway finally got across to Osweiler, his offer was a three-year contract worth $39 million – through a big deal in Osweiler’s eyes, his agents thought it to be too small, so Osweiler ignored and then the huge yet catastrophic Houston offer came.
The model employed in Houston was different from what Osweiler was used to in Denver, thus he struggled at his new team, marking the start of the downward spiral movement of his career. While playing for the Miami Dolphins, Brock Osweiler received interest from franchises like the Colts, Falcons, and Jets but none of them offered a season-long commitment which was what Osweiler desired. Tired of hopping with his young family from state to state, Osweiler thought it wise to call it quits with football.
His career ended with a total of 59.8 completion percentage, 7,418 yards passing, 37 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.
Upon retirement, Brock Osweiler’s net worth was $20 million. He’s got a couple of luxury vehicles including a fancy Porsche 911 and a Range Rover. Just before he retired, he put up his Arizona mansion which was completely rebuilt in 2016 for sale at $1.345 million.
How is the Former Football Player Faring After Retirement?
Most footballers, after the end of their active careers often immediately hop on broadcasting opportunities, consider coaching or scouting.
While Brock might be interested in one or two of these, he has chosen to remain less active for the time being. His 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated reveals that he does not need the money, thus, the former quarterback’s wealth valued at $20 million is sitting afloat.
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Osweiler would rather dedicate his time to doing the things that a busy football season could not let him do, like playing golf and learning how to cook. The former quarterback revealed to SI that he is actively seeking partnership deals with private equity firms. He also plans on building a weight room at his alma mater Flathead High School, Kalispell, Montana. He is also on the board of several charity organizations.
Retired Brock Is Enoying More Family Time With Wife Erin
Though he tore his pants while carrying his wife up the rocks for a photoshoot on their wedding day, Brock Osweiler still rates that day, the happiest of his life.
Osweiler’s wife was born Erin Costales on 20th November 1986 in Scottsdale, Arizona to parents Thomas Michael Costales and Kathryn Chronis. Not a public figure, Erin is your average American citizen who despite being married to a popular figure has chosen to keep details of her life under wraps. It is known that she has a sister named Michelle who in December 2016 graduated with a degree in Veterinary medicine.
The couple met before Osweiler got his start with the NFL, they got married at Silverleaf Club in Scottdale, Arizona on February 28, 2014. They share two daughters together; Blake Everly born on April 9th, 2017, and another daughter who was born in 2019.
