The rumors are swirling around the Denver Broncos right now, with reports that Peyton Manning looking to play one more year and Brock Osweiler potentially heading to free agency. Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro from The Afternoon Drive in Denver discussed the possibilities surrounding the two current and one former NFL quarterback in Dove Valley.
Talking Peyton Manning right now. He's PO'd and he wants to play. I'll tell you who does & doesn't want him. AM1340 @milehighsports #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) March 3, 2016
There is a scenario here where Manning playing another year could help John Elway retain Osweiler as the starting quarterback for the Broncos in 2016. It's all about how much other teams would prefer to take Manning over Osweiler, bringing the value of the younger quarterback back down in the range of what the Broncos are willing to offer.
I'm told the Broncos have made a substantial offer to Brock Osweiler.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 3, 2016
The Houston Texans are a team both quarterbacks appear to be aiming to receive offers from when free agency starts next week. Right now, Osweiler appears to be the best free agent quarterback about to hit the market. However, if a team like the Texans want the star power of a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Manning, then Osweiler may reconsider the Broncos offer. That can only happen if Manning decides he wants to keep playing in 2016.
This would be a much better scenario than the Broncos losing out on both quarterbacks, with little recourse for the 2016 regular season outside of a few low risk/high reward players like Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III.
Bonus Listen
Eric and Les talk with Mark Kiszla to learn whether there is any tension between Elway and Manning now. It certainly seems that way from where I sit, but who really knows besides those two what is really going on.