It would've been a ridiculous notion had it been introduced when Brock Osweiler and the Denver Broncos had just handed the New England Patriots their first loss of the 2015 season.

But somehow Robert Griffin III now is a viable option to play for the Broncos in 2016. As their starting quarterback.

Redskins Wise Not To Give In To Kirk Cousins Contract Demands

Osweiler will become a free agent next month in Denver, about the same time that the Washington Redskins officially release Griffin to get out from under the $16 million they would owe him if he stayed on the roster in 2016.

"That puts (Broncos general manager) John Elway in a precarious position," The Big Lead reported. "To keep Osweiler, he could be forced to drop a prohibitively lucrative contract. One that could hamper his ability to retain the NFL's best defense. The quarterback desperate teams out there are likely making Osweiler an overvalued commodity, while franchising him would also be absurdly expensive.

Rumors Surface Of Peyton Manning Having Open Marriage With Wife Ashley

"According to the latest reports, the Broncos are now considering Robert Griffin III as a potential option to get through the next season."

The report comes from Denver radio host Benjamin Allbright, according to Sporting News.

The Big Lead included a table of Osweiler's 2015 performance compared to that of Griffin.

The acquisition of RGIII would be the "gutsiest" move that the Broncos should make, Sporting News added.

"The upside of this is intriguing," Sporting News reported. "Few around the NFL really think Griffin is a lost cause, and that's not just the usual "I can fix him" ego at work. He just turned 26 last week, and a bad reputation for self-absorption and shaky mechanics are poor reasons to give up on a quarterback that early."

The Big Lead included a statistical comparison between Osweiler's 2015 and Griffin's 2013 and 2014 years combined. Osweiler had a slightly better passing rating (86.4-83.7) and led his offense to 20.0 points per game, compared to Griffin's 19.7.

The biggest barrier against Osweiler's hopes for a lucrative contract --- besides Griffin --- is the Broncos' success with Peyton Manning as quarterback. Denver was 7-2 during the regular season with Manning posting a 67.9 passer rating and 3-0 in the playoffs as Manning improved to 75.4.

With Manning likely to retire, Griffin's stock continues to rise by remaining idle in his remaining days with the Redskins.

"Robert hasn't missed a beat," Washington tight end Niles Paul told 106.7 the Fan, a CBS Sports Radio station, as reported by CBS Sports. "I'm confident, wherever he goes, he'll play and I expect him to do big things, because that's just the type of person he is, the competitor he is. I know Rob is not down and out, he's just that type of guy and I love him to death. I know that, if it's not here, wherever he goes he'll ball out. I guarantee that."

For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook