Report: Broncos still prefer Brock Osweiler to Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning could return to practice at some point in the next week or so, and it is unclear if he will be getting his starting job back. While Brock Osweiler hasn’t exactly turned heads over the last two games, the coaching staff apparently still believes in the 25-year-old.

According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the Broncos still have confidence in Osweiler and believe he gives them a better chance to succeed than Manning.

“The coaches still feel that Brock Osweiler is the best option at this time to help the Broncos in their chase for the playoffs and a possible championship,” Cole said Monday. “While they did not score a touchdown on Sunday against the Raiders and failed to score any points at all in the second half of the game, a lot of that was primarily due to coaching errors, the inability to line up blockers against Khalil Mack and drops by wide receivers.”

Cole added that the Broncos feel Osweiler is “more the solution than the problem,” even with Manning and head coach Gary Kubiak set to meet this week.

There were plenty of moments on Sunday when Osweiler did not look comfortable at all. He seemingly panicked in the pocket on several occasions and threw the ball to his check-down options immediately. Denver hasn’t solved its vertical passing game woes now that Osweiler is under center instead of Manning.

Manning’s health is obviously the biggest variable here. If he was struggling because he was hurt, the Broncos should give him another shot if he can get healthy. If Manning was simply struggling because he is old and can’t get it done anymore (which isn’t what this Hall of Famer thinks), Denver might as well stick with the youngster.