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This is big.
Either a Denver radio host has terrible sources, or the Broncos tried to trade veteran quarterback Peyton Manning to the Texans earlier this offseason.
Reports Mile High Sports' Benjamin Allbright:
#Broncos attempted to trade Peyton Manning this off-season to the Houston #Texans per more than one source in position to know. (1/2)
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) June 23, 2015
2/2 Certain elements of Broncos organization wanted Osweiler era to begin this season.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) June 23, 2015
That's an incredible report, but the team has denied it.
Here's one for the record - The speculation is false, and your report is inaccurate. https://t.co/Epge4WkOrX
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) June 24, 2015
Denver restructured Manning's contract earlier this year and it included a no-trade clause. PFT's Mike Florio connected the dots and write that the report "seems plausible."
Matt Smith apparently reported the same thing a few weeks ago.
Manning's agent, Tom Condon, told Florio that no trade was ever discussed.
From agent Tom Condon to PFT: "Neither the Texans, the Broncos, or Peyton Manning ever talked to me about a trade anywhere."
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 24, 2015
The Texans, meanwhile, have no comment.
CBS 4's Vic Lombardi, who was a reliable source during Denver's courtship of Manning, originally said he would not be surprised if the report was true.
I have no sources to confirm it, but wouldn't surprise me one bit. https://t.co/FwvcijxVZs
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) June 24, 2015
Lombardi then tweeted that Denver never tried to trade Manning, per his sources.
Did some digging on the Peyton story. According to my sources, the Broncos never tried to trade him. Certainly tried to cut more salary.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) June 24, 2015
So to review: Allbright says the Broncos tried to trade Manning to the Texans. Denver and Manning's agent denied it, and Houston has no comment.
Take the report as you will.
Update: Below are a few more denials from notable media members:
Hearing from people close to the situation that there's no truth to rumors that the @Broncos tried to trade Peyton Manning this offseason.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) June 24, 2015
When Broncos were negotiating Peyton Manning paycut, I'm sure all kinds of things were said. But Manning was never going anywhere. #9News
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) June 24, 2015
Let's get this straight: Guy who's radio station is no longer on air reports Peyton Manning trade to Houston. And it spreads. What a biz.
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) June 24, 2015
Sorry this took so long, but I wanted to talk with 3 Texans sources I trust about Manning report. All tell me it's not true.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) June 24, 2015
In short, nobody (save perhaps Florio) is buying Allbright's report.
Bottom line: Manning is Denver's QB going forward, regardless of what happened earlier this offseason.