Peyton Manning's future is being questioned just as much as the head coaching future of the Denver Broncos. After ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the quarterback was playing with a torn quad for the final stretch of the season including the playoffs, speculation ran wild that Manning could potentially be preparing to call it quits. John Elway did not help the rumor saying that he hopes Manning returns, but is not certain. If the quarterback retires or goes elsewhere, what is the future of the position?
Everyone in Devner is in the dark regarding Manning. According to the Denver Post, most of his teammates had no idea he was even injured. With questions remaining as to whether Manning will be back next year, everyone on the Broncos' roster is simply singing his praises.
"Super tough. Torn quad or strain? It's not normal," CJ Anderson said, via the Denver Post. "You need your legs to throw. That's just amazing that he went through that. If he wins, he's a hero. If he loses, everybody bashes him. But there's no one I'd rather play with than No. 18. I respected him as a player and as a person already, but it just gives you more respect when you hear and see things of that nature."
According NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Broncos are not stressed about the potential departure of Manning. Rapoport writes that the internal reviews on Brock Osweiler are extremely high and the franchise likes what they see in him for the future. Drafted back in 2012 out of Arizona State, Osweiler has 13 career games to his name with 159 passing yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
"I can tell you from sources inside the Broncos organization, this is a guy they feel very good about," Rapoport said. "The reviews internally on Brock Osweiler are high, so if Peyton Manning does not come back, they do feel confident that they have a quarterback who can step in and have some level of success in there after Peyton Manning, whenever he does decide to retire."
Osweiler told the media that he has no idea what Manning is planning on doing for the future. He was aware the quarterback was injured, but is not certain if Manning plans on retiring due to that injury or if he is looking to leave for another team.
""I have no idea," Osweiler said. "None. I fully expect when Peyton is ready to address it he will. I've been fortunate to be in my situation and will continue to work as hard as I can. Ever since I've been here I've always taken the approach if you're prepared you don't have to get prepared. I've always prepared every single week, training camp, every single spring, like I was going to be the guy playing. I just went about my business and if my number got called I was ready."
The Broncos have a lot of offseason moves to make and lot could hinge on whether or not Manning plans to not return next season. Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker all need new contracts. The team needs a new head coach and several coordinators. The quarterback would simply be icing on a difficult offseason.
