Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway says this won't be Osweiler's big contract

Denver Broncos General Manager appeared on Pro Football Talk on the NBC Sports Network on Thursday and talked about quarterback Brock Osweiler's contract situation.

They asked the Broncos General Manager about the difficulty of figuring out Osweiler's value. Elway responded by saying "that's the hard part".

"Well, I think that’s the hard part," Elway said. "When you look at where the salaries are on quarterbacks, either above $15 million or below $5 million. There’s no middle class of quarterbacks. So that’s where you hope you could get a fair deal with Brock’s people and his representatives. And I think we’ll be able to do that, you never know, but that’s the toughest thing, Mike. Putting that value on that and obviously sometimes what we think the value is and what their value is, is different, but we’ll see if we could come together on that."

Osweiler is entering his fifth season in the NFL and only has 7 starts under his belt. Those starts came when Peyton Manning went down with a foot injury, rib injury and other bumps and bruises.

During those seven starts(eight total games), Osweiler totaled 1,967 yards for 11 total touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. The Broncos 5-2 during Osweiler's seven starts, and had big come from behind victories against the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals. Those two wins were a big reason why the Broncos earned the number one seed, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

As we all know, Osweiler was eventually benched for Peyton Manning in week 17, and Manning played the entire postseason and Super Bowl. Osweiler was Manning's backup and didn't see any playing time during that stretch.

Osweiler who the Broncos believe is the quarterback of the future is now heading to free agency, and Elway has the tough task of figuring out a fair deal for both sides.

The guys at Pro Football Talk then asked if Osweiler would take less to stay in Denver.

"I think as a quarterback, and I tell you looking it as a quarterback and not looking at it as Brock, and I’m not looking at it from being a G.M. of the Broncos," Elway said. "But if I look at Brock Osweiler, if I’m in his shoes, I look at a place where I could be successful and in a system that fits me. And I will tell you this now, and I’m putting on my G.M. hat, I think we do have a system that fits Brock very well."

Elway then continues saying that this deal won't be Osweiler's "big deal".

"I don’t think this will be, this won’t be his big contract, but this will be a contract where he’ll be able to make very good money and be able to prove himself that could lead to that next big contract."

Elway's statements pretty much rule out the team using the Franchise Tag on him this offseason. When a team places the Franchise Tag on a quarterback or any player, the next step is usually working a long-term "big contract" later that offseason.

It will be interesting to see how this entire thing plays out. Will Osweiler agree to a "middle-class" quarterback contract, or test the free agent market to see if he can get his "big payday" elsewhere?

Watch Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway's entire appearance on Pro Football Talk on the NBC Sports Network from this past Thursday below.