Friday 10 March 2017 15:38, UK
It was a night of high drama in the NFL as the opening of the new league year began with a free agency signing frenzy, an unprecedented trade and more talking points than you can shake a stick at.
Here are some of my quick-hit thoughts on the biggest moves made on Thursday night…
In all my years covering the NFL I have never seen anything like this. The Browns grabbed Osweiler and his $16 million contract for 2017 and the Houston Texans were so grateful they also gave away a second-round pick in next year's Draft.
News quickly emerged that the Browns had no intention of playing or keeping Osweiler - he was simply a pawn in their roster-building plan and they effectively bought a second-round pick for $16 million. This could prove to be shrewd from the Browns but shows what a cold, cold business the NFL can be.
What next for Cleveland?
The popular line of thinking is that the Browns are going to parlay their extra draft picks into a trade for New England Patriots back-up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. And that became a stronger line of thought early Friday morning US time when Jimmy G took to Instagram to say goodbye to fans in New England.
It has since emerged that his account was hacked and that was a hoax. Seriously, you couldn't make this stuff up.
All about the Browns
Okay, it's not all about the Browns but they also got better on Thursday night with the signing of offensive linemen J.C. Tretter from Green Bay and Kevin Zeitler from Cincinnati.
They also added Los Angeles Rams receiver Kenny Britt, but I still want to see them make a play for keeping Terrelle Pryor.
49ers add much-needed talent
The San Francisco 49ers had money to spend and while they have not exactly broken the bank, they have improved a team that went 2-14 last year. Pierre Garcon is a solid veteran addition at receiver and Kyle Shanahan likes to use a fullback so signed the best in the business in Baltimore's Kyle Juszczyk.
Quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley have also been brought on board but I cannot help thinking the Niners would have preferred Kirk Cousins, but Washington were not playing ball.
Cousins wanted out
I have to believe that Cousins wanted out of Washington, especially after he started seeing his receivers leaving town with Garcon heading to San Francisco and DeSean Jackson dodging down the east coast to Tampa Bay.
Washington also fired general manager Scott McCloughan and allowed key veteran defensive lineman Chris Baker to join the Bucs. The Redskins were wise to keep Cousins in town, but I doubt he is very happy about that fact.
Jags building beastly defence
New football chief Tom Coughlin wants the Jacksonville Jaguars to play with more "grit" in 2017 and that is going to start on defence following the free agency signings of defensive lineman Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Buoye.
Campbell was the best free agent on the market, in my opinion, and teaming Buoye with second-year corner Jalen Ramsey is going to lock down the outsides in the passing game. This team still needs offensive line help but the defence - which was ranked sixth in the NFL a year ago - should continue to grow and remain the backbone of this team.
Little interest in Peterson
There was not even a nibble for Adrian Peterson on the opening night of free agency and the future Hall of Famer has to consider the fact that he is going to be playing for a relative pittance in 2017.
He is certainly not getting anywhere near the $18 million he was scheduled to make from Minnesota before they decided to move on. He could yet end up back with the Vikings on a much-reduced salary.
Quarterback carousel still spinning
There are still some big-name quarterbacks to find homes. No one is quite sure what is going to happen with Osweiler and Tony Romo, who bid an emotional farewell to Dallas Cowboys fans on Thursday night, has not even been released by the NFC East club.
Jay Cutler was jettisoned by the Chicago Bears but could be a stop-gap for the New York Jets and somebody is surely going to take a punt on Colin Kaepernick in the coming days?
