Broncos backup QB laughs off caught-on-tape frustration
Brock Osweiler may have appeared angry at Peyton Manning on Sunday, throwing up his hands in frustration when the Denver Broncos backup quarterback thought it was his turn to play with his team comfortably ahead of the Oakland Raiders, only to see Manning run back on the field.
But after everybody with an Internet connection saw the video, Osweiler said it wasn't like he really was upset or anything.
"It all happened fast," Osweiler said Monday. "There was some miscommunication there — are you going in? Am I going in? We've all had a pretty good laugh about it.
"It did (look like I was mad). Obviously, everyone wants to play, but no, shoot, everyone's had a good laugh. It's all good."
Coach John Fox, who said it was his fault that the timing of the QB switch wasn't clear, said Osweiler benefited from the time he did get to play — the whole fourth quarter.
"It is invaluable experience for anyone, particularly the quarterback," Fox said.
Osweiler has waited patiently as Manning's backup for two years. He relishes any scrap of playing time he can get. So, it's easy to see why he was so disappointed when he was all warmed up and ready to go in the game only to see the five-time MVP trot back onto the field.
With the final seconds of the third quarter ticking away and Denver comfortably ahead 41-10, Osweiler excitedly removed his baseball cap, grabbed his helmet and spun around to run onto the field.
He saw Manning already buckling his chin strap and heading to the huddle.
Osweiler's smile vanished. Dejected, he threw his left hand into the air.
The moment was caught on camera and quickly made the social media rounds.
"There's absolutely no hard feelings or anything like that," Osweiler said. "We're all just having a good laugh. It's funny that it got caught on tape."
Manning handed the ball to C.J. Anderson for a 1-yard run. The third quarter came to an end and so did Manning's day.
Osweiler went in and completed 2 of 5 passes for 13 yards and gained 4 yards on a keeper before doing the kneel-down in victory formation twice — something he rarely even gets to do in other games.
Fox took the blame for the mix-up.
"That was really on me," Fox said. "What happened was we were contemplating it. There were 40 seconds left in the third quarter. I heard something about him warming up and in my brain I didn't think Brock was warmed up yet. I said, `Let Peyton finish this off and then we'll bring him out.'"
Fox said it wasn't a big deal.
"It wasn't earth-shattering, just kind of humorous."
Osweiler said he's taken some good-natured ribbing from his teammates.
"Oh yeah, I think everyone's seen it," he said. "It's pretty comical. He went in for one play and then I went in. So, it's all funny now. "
The Associated Press contributed to this report.