Report: Browns seeking pick for Osweiler; will release him absent a trade

The Cleveland Browns have no intention of keeping Brock Osweiler on the roster.

After acquiring the 2016 free-agent bust from the Houston Texans in a surprise deal that amounted to a salary dump, the Browns will cut Osweiler if they are unable to find another trade partner, sources told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

The Browns inherited Osweiler, his $16-million cap hit, a 2018 second-round pick, and a 2017 sixth-round pick at the outset of free agency on Thursday in exchange for a 2017 fourth-rounder.

As the club now sets out to shop the out-of-favor quarterback around the league, Cabot adds that Cleveland is dangling a fifth-round pick and an offer to retain half of Osweiler's salary in hopes of landing a third-round selection in a trade.

Judging by both the initial trade for Osweiler and their apparent willingness to retain some of his acquired salary in another swap, it's clear the Browns are doing anything and everything they can to stock up on draft picks for the future.

Upon landing with another team - either by trade or following an outright release - Osweiler will likely have to settle for a backup role.

The young signal-caller failed to live up to expectations after signing a four-year, $72-million contract with Houston in free agency last year, completing just 59 percent of passes for 2,957 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.