So much for the element of surprise. The biggest benefit Brock Osweiler might have as a first-time starter is that teams don’t have any game tape on him.
He’ll play against the one staff that doesn’t need any tape Sunday — his former coaches — now Chicago head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
“We’re very familiar with him, spending the last few years with him,” Fox said. “He’s a smart guy. He’s not afraid to work. I think from a preparation standpoint, he’s learned from probably one of the better guys to play the game.”
The Bears’ two leading coaches groomed Osweiler the past three years while having the same role with the Broncos.
Gase worked with Osweiler every day building him up to one day be Denver’s franchise quarterback. So does he have the key to decoding Osweiler now that he’s playing against him?
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“I’m sure that he knows a few things,” Osweiler said. “How many secrets and things like that — shoot I don’t even know what I have.”
Osweiler isn’t the only known commodity. Every 2015 Broncos’ defensive starter was a member of the team under Fox in 2014. Outside of the tight end position, every other Broncos’ offensive skill player was a part of Fox’s 2014 personnel, as well.
“We’re pretty much prepared for it to be more under center, a little bit more play-action as far from under center,” Fox said. “Maybe a few more boots.”
This works both ways. Broncos’ players know Fox and Gase’s tendencies too.
The Broncos’ defense has been the No. 1-ranked unit in yards allowed for much of the season with similar personnel, but Fox pointed out that the Broncos 2014 defense was a top three group even with linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan battling injuries.
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Gase and Fox have found some recent success in Chicago. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is playing some of the best football of his career and the Bears’ have won two games in a row to get in the playoff mix with a 4-5 record.
The Broncos, on the otherhand, are trending downward as losers of two consecutive games and sending out a first-time starter at quarterback.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has said he won’t dumb down the offense for Osweiler. The Denver offense is the Denver offense, for better or worse.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
