Denver Broncos Rumors: Peyton Manning’s Rapid Decline Could Lead Team To Move On

The Denver Broncos are rumored to be nearing the end of the line with Peyton Manning, as the quarterback’s quickly declining play could hasten the team’s succession plans.

Manning and the Broncos offense has struggled this year, ranking near the bottom of the league in a number of categories including yards per play with a paltry 3.7 and yards per pass attempt with 4.2. The team has still managed to get out to a 2-0 record, but Manning’s play is a cause for concern.

Publicly, the team said they are staying the course with Manning, who has looked slow and lacked velocity on his throws.

“You stay committed to what you believe in,” said coach Gary Kubiak, via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. “We’re going to get where we want to go offensively if we stay committed to something. We believe in what we’re doing, been doing it a long time, we just got to get better at how we’re doing it. As coaches that always starts with us. You don’t run away from something, you keep working at it.”

But rumors indicate that the Denver Broncos could be ready to turn the page on Peyton Manning. The team appeared ready to move on to backup Brock Osweiler this offseason, when Peyton was reportedly on the fence about whether to return.

That still may happen. Manning’s arm strength seems to have dropped rapidly, with his longest completion this year just 22 yards.

Manning says it’s simply a matter of adjusting to Kubiak’s system, getting the new players and new positions comfortable.

“You’re trying to improve as you make the adjustments, you’re trying to win games as you make the adjustments,” Manning said. “As long as we continue to work and improve, that’s what we said all along, that’s what we said we were going to do and that’s what we will do.”

Others are starting to speak up about the Denver Broncos rumors as well. Grantland writer Charles P. Pierce wrote that Peyton’s lack of mobility — and he was never terribly mobile to begin with — is putting him in a very dangerous situation. Pierce noted the injuries to Tony Romo and Terrell Suggs, showing that the decline in the NFL can hit a player quickly.

Pierce also noted the dangers that can come on the field, pointing to Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams who suffered what appeared to be a serious neck injury against the Patriots on Sunday. After laying on the turn motionless for several minutes, Williams was strapped to a stretcher and carted off in an ambulance. He appears to have avoided serious injury, but Pierce said Manning is not in a position to be taking such hits.

But there could be a hitch to the latest Denver Broncos rumors. As long as the team keeps winning, and maintains its lead in the AFC West, it’s unlikely that Peyton Manning would move to the bench anytime soon.

[Image via Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]