Why Broncos Back-up QB Brock Osweiler Graduating from Arizona State Matters

Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) and Peyton Manning (18) against the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Post recently reported that Peyton Manning‘s back-up QB, Brock Osweiler, flew to Phoneix Monday night to walk in the commencement ceremony at Arizona State. Osweiler left in the middle of his Junior year at Arizona State to enter the NFL Draft. He finished the 21 credits he needed to graduate online during the last two NFL offseasons. Osweiler now has a degree in interdisciplinary studies – which is a mix of political science and sociology.

Why should Bronco fans care about Osweiler getting his degree? I care because I think it shows that Osweiler has a lot of characteristics I want in my team’s quarterback. I want a quarterback that has discipline, is motivated to succeed without outside pressure, sees the value in finishing what he starts.

Osweiler left college a year before many thought he would or should and is still a bit of a mystery to fans. While no one really wants to see Osweiler start a game right now (as that would most likely mean Manning was injured) it’s frustrating not knowing exactly what we have in our #2 quarterback. Hopefully Osweiler taking the time and effort to finish his college degree shows that Osweiler is as good a decision maker as his current mentor.

From the Denver Post:

"“He’s intrinsically motivated,” said Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. “He has shown all the qualities you like to see as a starter in this league. With the way he prepares. When he’s quizzed in the classroom or on the field on the progressions or reads, he is always on top of it. He asks questions that are well thought out.“And then I saw great progress physically on his mechanics in tightening up his drop and his footwork. He has shown all the signs. You never know until a guy plays, but he has shown everything for us to believe he’s on track to becoming a starting NFL quarterback.”"

We won’t really know what we have in Osweiler until he does get a chance to start a game. Hopefully we won’t find that out for a few more years, and Osweiler gets his wish of not needing to use his college degree in the near future either.