AP

The Broncos want to keep quarterback Brock Osweiler, and the Texans reportedly are pursuing him. League insiders currently can’t tell whether the Texans’ interest is real, or whether it’s being embellished (or flat-out manufactured) to squeeze the Broncos into paying more.

As one league source explained it, there’s one fact that will break the tie conclusively: If Osweiler takes a visit to Houston, he most likely won’t be returning to the Broncos.

The Broncos, who dumped Tim Tebow four years ago and who could see both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler exiting after a Super Bowl win, surely have a plan B. As Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports Network said during the 2015 season on PFT Live, the Broncos were interested in signing quarterback Tyrod Taylor a year ago. While a trade for Taylor is highly unlikely (then again it would be crazy to rule out anything), the Broncos could be eyeballing a trade for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose skill set is very similar to Taylor’s.

It’s unknown where Osweiler is leaning, but let’s not assume he has warm and fuzzy feelings about being yanked from the field in Peyton Manning late in the regular season, especially in light of the dramatic impact a Super Bowl run with Osweiler at quarterback would have had on his value.