I think it's simpler, they have tremendous cap space and they coveted a potentially decent second round draft pick enough to take the contract off the Texan's hands. They may even let him compete. In the right system Osweiler has shown he can be a solid back-up or better.Osweiler to the Browns. Makes no sense for the price, but it's the Browns so it actually makes sense. Maybe the wanted him to trade again.
Now what's going on with Peterson? I wouldn't be surprised to see him with a good season left in the tank, or to see him go a few years the way Marcus Allen did, as a short yardage and td machine.