Kubiak: Time to take the next step, Manning will be the backup.

According to Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak, quarterback Peyton Manning is "ready to take that next step" and suit up to backup starting quarterback Brock Osweiler this Sunday.

Kubiak: If everything goes well, #Manning will be the backup vs. #Chargers. "Time to take the next step. Will take it one day at a time."

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 30, 2015

Coach Gary Kubiak announced Manning's new role in the Broncos offense earlier today before the team had their first practice preparing for their week 17 game against the San Diego Chargers.

Manning will return to practice with the team since suffering a foot injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the middle of November. If everything goes well, which Kubiak and Manning believe it will, Manning will suit up on Sunday and backup Brock Osweiler. Rookie quarterback Trevor Siemian will now return to the inactive list.

The last time that Peyton Manning was a healthy backup was way back in 1994 when he came in for an injured Todd Helton while he was attending school at Tennessee.

"His confidence is up and where he's at mentally and physically, it's time to take the next step, and that next step is being in a position to play," Kubiak said. "I like the way he has battled to get to this point. He's a competitor. Everyone wants to play. But he also understands where we are at and he wants to do what's best for the team, and I am proud of him for that."

The other noteworthy thing to come out of today's press conference was Kubiak saying this is Brock Osweiler's team. This might be as close as we get to the Broncos officially announcing that Osweiler is now the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos.

"Brock's our quarterback, and nothing has changed from that standpoint," Kubiak said. "... The team knows that Brock is our quarterback."

Osweiler has led the Broncos to a 4-2 record during his six starts, including wins over the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals.

Kubiak: "[@bosweiler17] is our guy. He's doing a hell of a job. We'll keep moving forward."

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 30, 2015

He has totaled 1,735 yards, 10 total touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 61.7. Not too shabby for a quarterback's first six starts of his career.

"Obviously Brock's done a hell of a job and we've got a ton of confidence in him and what he's doing in this football team," Kubiak said. "But we just need to all stay focused on our jobs and get ready to play San Diego."

The Denver Broncos now have the greatest backup quarterback of All-time.