Report: Broncos making late push to retain Osweiler

The Denver Broncos may not be willing to let Brock Osweiler test the open market, after all.

Negotiations between the two sides are taking place with just hours remaining before free agency officially opens, and the Broncos have "ramped up" their efforts to retain the young quarterback, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Reports surfaced earlier in the day indicating that the Broncos could target San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick if Osweiler signs elsewhere.

As appealing as it would be for Osweiler to return and start for the team with which he's spent his entire pro career so far - not to mention one that may remain a Super Bowl contender - it's still unclear whether Denver can make the necessary financial commitment.

The Houston Texans are thought to be the other team in the running for Osweiler's services, and the club enters the offseason with plenty of cap space to utilize in potentially solving their long-standing issues under center.

Each of Osweiler's seven career starts came in place of Manning down the stretch this season, helping the Broncos to lock up yet another AFC West title.