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Elway slights Osweiler, Texans: Best deals often those you don't make

Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports

John Elway may have been right all along.

Resisting temptation to match the inflated market value for an unproven talent, the Denver Broncos general manager allowed Brock Osweiler to walk in the offseason, when he signed a four-year, $72-million deal with the Houston Texans.

After Osweiler and the new-look Texans offense were particularly disappointing in Thursday's loss to the New England Patriots, Elway indicated letting his young QB leave was a strong move on Denver's part.

"A lot of times those deals you don't make are the best ones," Elway told Dave KOA radio on Friday, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

"Obviously it was a tough night for Houston last night and - but things move on," he said. You try to make the best decision when you have to make it ... Excluding last night, we really felt good with the way everything's fallen, the way we went into camp, and we're really excited with the guys who are playing the position for us now."

Osweiler's departure, combined with Peyton Manning's retirement, forced Denver to start Trevor Siemian this season, ahead of first-round rookie Paxton Lynch.

While it remains to be seen whether Siemian can be considered a starting-caliber quarterback, Elway would prefer that form of uncertainty, considering the player costs a mere $538,195 this season.

Osweiler, meanwhile, will have to avoid performances like Thursday's - when he threw for just 196 yards and an interception on 41 attempts - if he's to avoid the "bust" label.

The 25-year-old signal-caller has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 695 yards, three touchdowns, and four picks through three games to begin his first season as a full-time starter.

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