Gary Kubiak is going to have a difficult decision to make when Peyton Manning is ready to return, and it sounds like at least one Denver Broncos player does not believe Manning should get his job back.
After Sunday night’s dramatic win over the New England Patriots, a Broncos player reportedly told Jason Cole of Bleacher report that he has more confidence in Brock Osweiler’s ability to make throws than he does in Manning’s.
“(The player said) Osweiler simply can make throws right now than Peyton Manning cannot make,” Cole said Monday. “Those deep throws to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to set up the game-tying touchdown — including the touchdown to give the Broncos the lead — were things that impressed the players. Also his calm and confidence in the pocket.”
Cole added that Osweiler’s teammates are confident the 25-year-old will only get better as the season progresses and he develops a better relationship with his receivers.
None of this is a surprise. Manning was benched earlier this month after he threw three interceptions in a single half. His arm strength has been diminishing over the past year, and that probably has just as much to do with age as it does with injuries.
Osweiler has better physical tools than a 39-year-old Manning, and the Broncos might already be planning to stick with Osweiler when Manning is healthy. If that happens, will Manning be willing to keep doing what he did for Osweiler on Sunday night? We may find out.
