Peyton Manning is expected to be named as the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos by many experts after he sparked a huge win in Week 17. Head coach Gary Kubiak could make an announcement on the matter as early as Thursday, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
“Why is an announcement possible? This represents the initial work day in preparation for the Jan. 17 playoff game,” Renck writes. “Over the past several weeks, Kubiak has eliminated distractions by creating clarity on Wednesday when the team began practice for its opponent.”
Granted, nothing has been decided to this point, and even the experts are offering nothing more than speculation. However, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Manning will end up behind center for Denver during the playoffs this year.
Not only that, but most would likely agree Manning deserves one final shot at glory.
39-year-old Peyton Manning, coming off the bench after injury in Week 17… pic.twitter.com/iLkzzyKJ1n
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 4, 2016
The Broncos were built the past few years to complement him and give him and the franchise the best chance at bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the mile-high city of Denver.
The change in atmosphere, both in Denver’s offensive huddle and at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, when Manning came into the game against the Chargers last Sunday was palpable. His insertion into the lineup supercharged the Broncos to play at a level they hadn’t sniffed at in weeks, and though he didn’t show up huge on the stat sheet the results speak volumes about his impact.
Denver went on a 20-7 run to close out the game after falling behind 13-7 right before Manning was called into action. The win not only saved the team from losing the AFC West to the surging Kansas City Chiefs, but it also boosted the Broncos into the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
Earning the top seed, and a bye, makes it even more likely that Manning will be announced as the starter, per Renck.
“The bye week figures to help Manning, creating a more gradual pace into the game. Manning’s progress the previous two weeks gave Kubiak confidence he could perform without his health compromising the quarterback or the team.”
It would be incredibly anti-climactic for Kubiak to come out on Thursday, or perhaps later in the week, to announce Brock Osweiler as the starter. More than that, it would be an insult to one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Manning does deserve one more chance to ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl win, much like Broncos great John Elway did.
That’s why everyone should expect Kubiak to name Manning the starter going forward when he addresses the media on Thursday either before or after the team has its first practice for the divisional round, when it will host the lowest remaining seed coming out of the wild card round this upcoming weekend.