Report: Osweiler left Broncos because of benching

Brock Osweiler apparently knew he'd be moving on from the Denver Broncos well before free agency commenced.

Osweiler signed a four-year, $72-million contract Wednesday with the Houston Texans, becoming the foundation of a resurgent offense.

The 25-year-old compiled a stellar 5-2 record as the Broncos' starter, but was benched when Peyton Manning returned from a lingering foot injury.

As a result of the benching, Osweiler decided he'd leave the Broncos in free agency, a source close to the quarterback's family told Mike Klis of 9NEWS.

Osweiler's agent, Jimmy Sexton, advised his client to not return calls, emails, or texts from the Broncos until he was able to strike a deal with another suitor, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Although Osweiler won a Super Bowl ring as Manning and the league's best defense commandeered the team past the Carolina Panthers, it appears the damage was already done.