INDIANAPOLIS -- As the Denver Broncos' decision-makers have looked at the next crop of draft hopefuls this week at the league’s scouting combine, they have also re-affirmed their desire to keep a player they vetted at Lucas Oil Stadium four years ago -- Brock Osweiler.

The 25-year-old Osweiler did not work out at the combine in 2012 because of a foot injury, but he was still the Broncos’ second-round pick in that year's draft. Osweiler is now, after four years as Peyton Manning's backup, poised to be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 9.

But the Broncos have made it abundantly clear this past week, even as Manning tries to decide whether or not to retire, that they want to retain Osweiler. The Broncos have been working on the structure of a potential deal for Osweiler since the season’s end and ramped up discussions with Osweiler’s representatives at the combine.

Or as Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway put it: “We know where Brock is. Brock knows what we have to offer. We still have a great deal of interest in Brock. We’d like to do something with Brock."

Osweiler, however, plays a high-need position around the league, a position where prospective free agents with almost any experience as a starter can reap the financial windfall. So, as hard as the Broncos have, and will try, to sign Osweiler before free agency opens, there is always the prospect a player as well as his representatives, will want to see what other teams have to offer in the two-day negotiating window before free agency begins.

For many personnel executives in the league, Osweiler is more proven than many quarterbacks on the open market and a safer play-now option than most quarterbacks in the draft. But those same decision-makers say it also matters that his body of work is seven starts.

The Broncos were 5-2 in games Osweiler started this past season, though he was pulled in the third quarter of the regular-season finale -- the seventh start in place of the injured Peyton Manning. Elway was quick to say this week that Osweiler’s work this year merited a potential deal from the Broncos.

“I think that with the sample size that we got from Brock, we were excited about what we saw," Elway said. “I think when you look at the seven games that he started and the way that he played, he made some good strides. You never know what a quarterback can do until he gets in there... I think he proved a lot to us."

Quarterbacks of similar age as Osweiler -- some had more playing experience -- have signed deals worth roughly $10 million per year in free agency. Mark Sanchez, a former first-rounder, was 25 when he signed a $40.4 million deal in 2012.

The salary cap, expected to be between $153 million and $156 million per team this season, is higher than it was in 2012 ($120.6 million), so contracts would be adjusted accordingly.

“I think he has a bright future, obviously," said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. “He did a heck of a job for us. ... He played against some really good people in some tough situations. He played very well. I think he has a bright future. Obviously we think the world of him. We want him to be a part of our football team."

Osweiler finished the season with 1,967 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He had three games with at least 296 yards passing -- losses to Oakland and Pittsburgh to go with an overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The sacks -- 20 of 23 sacks were in his seven starts -- are a bit of concern, however, because they came in just over 27 quarters worth of work. Osweiler was listed on the injury report over his seven starts for shoulder, rib, elbow and knee injuries.

“He’s a guy that is a tough guy," Elway said. “He’s a guy that will stand in there. He can make all the throws. Obviously you always like to have a little bit more consistency, but that’s what young guys continue to get better and better, and usually it’s their consistency that gets better."

Elway added: “I was really excited with the way Brock played. We wouldn’t have been world champs without Brock. We needed both quarterbacks to play like they played. It allowed us to be world champions. I was excited about where Brock is and his progress.”

This will be the first time since Manning was signed in 2012, and Osweiler was drafted, that the Broncos have entered an offseason with uncertainty at quarterback. Osweiler will enter the open market if no deal is struck with the Broncos before March 9, while a decision from Manning is expected before then given his base salary of $19 million is guaranteed on that date as well.

Elway said he expects to meet with Manning again in the coming days -- the two met this past Tuesday at Elway’s house.

"We'll know when (March 9) gets closer where are," Elway said. "So, we'll see."