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Report: Quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive end Malik Jackson expected to hit the market

Things are about to get interesting.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive end Malik Jackson are expected to hit the free-agent market next week.

After the Broncos placed the exclusive Franchise Tag on linebacker Von Miller earlier today, the next order of business will be re-signing Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson.

Re-signing both of these players remains "priorities" for the Broncos, but Schefter believes they will be hitting the market regardless.

I have written many different "reports" surrounding the Malik Jackson situation. Each report varies on the details, but all of them remain consistent in one area. The area being the Broncos not offering the money Malik Jackson is reportedly seeking.

Reports out there are saying the Broncos have offered Malik Jackson a deal worth anywhere from $10-$12 million per year. Jackson is reportedly seeking a deal worth anywhere from $13-$15+ million per year. Will the Broncos make a final push and bump up their offer before next week's deadline?

I believe that Jackson will test the market regardless of what the Broncos offer. Teams like the Giants, Raiders, Bears, Jaguars and a few other teams are ready to spend a lot of money this offseason. So I think he will see what his market is like before agreeing to anything the Broncos offer. Still seems likely that Malik is playing elsewhere next season, but I remain somewhat hopeful.

As for Brock Osweiler, this is where things get interesting.

General Manager John Elway said this deal "won't be Osweiler's big deal", but could Osweiler be looking for that big deal? It's possible that he might after the Washington Redskins placed the Franchise Tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Kirk Cousins will have a base salary of $19.953 million next season, which will be the highest of any quarterback in the NFL next season.

If Kirk Cousins is getting nearly $20 million next year, why shouldn't Brock make $15 to $17 million or more next season? That's an argument I see Osweiler's agent potentially making to the Broncos.

The Broncos want to get a deal done with Osweiler, but I wouldn't be shocked to see hum test the market. Usually, when a Broncos free agent tests the free agent market, they do not end up returning to the Broncos.

As Adam Schefter said, things are about to get very interesting this week.