ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Brock Osweiler is returning to the Broncos.

In need of an experienced backup quarterback in the wake of Paxton Lynch's right-shoulder injury, the Broncos agreed to terms with Osweiler shortly after he was released by the Cleveland Browns.

President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced the move Saturday during his press conference, noting that the return is pending a physical on Monday.

"We're excited about that opportunity to have that experience there with Brock, and plus with Paxton, you never know with the throwing shoulder," Elway said.

Osweiler will be the backup "until Lynch gets healthy," Elway added.

Osweiler provides an experienced relief option behind Trevor Siemian, having broken into the NFL in 2012 as a second-round pick under Mike McCoy, who was then in his first stint as the Broncos' offensive coordinator. Osweiler should be able to quickly settle back into the scheme, having worked in it for three seasons -- first in 2012 under McCoy, and then for two seasons under then-coordinator Adam Gase after McCoy departed to become the San Diego Chargers' head coach.

A six-year veteran, Osweiler served three and a half seasons as Peyton Manning's backup before stepping into the starting role in November 2015 after Manning suffered a foot injury. The Broncos went 5-2 in the games Osweiler started, as he completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions before Manning returned to the field in Week 17 of that season.

"We know that Brock can win football games with us. He's got a lot of experience, so that was one glaring hole we had at that point in time, when Paxton hurt the shoulder, so we were able to get [the hole] fixed," Elway said. "We were going to go with a veteran quarterback, and Brock made the most sense for us."

One month after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, Osweiler departed the Broncos for the Houston Texans in unrestricted free agency. He started 14 regular-season games and two postseason contests in his only season with Houston, completing 301 of 510 passes (59.0 percent) for 2,957 yards, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in the regular season.

"When Brock made the decision [to sign with the Texans], he made the decision that the thought was best for him," Elway said. "It's kind of funny how these things worked out, and with our situation, and Brock being available, it's funny how everything aligned."

Houston traded Osweiler to Cleveland in the 2017 offseason, and he spent the last four months battling for the starting job with a cluster of young quarterbacks. The Browns opted to release Osweiler at the roster deadline after second-round pick DeShone Kizer earned the Week 1 starting nod.

"[Osweiler] is going to need a little football rehab. We know that," Elway said. " We're going to welcome him with open arms and give him some love."