Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak definitively named Brock Osweiler the team’s starting quarterback Wednesday.
Speaking in front of the media at his Wednesday press conference, Kubiak made it clear Peyton Manning will not be starting this upcoming Monday night when the team takes on the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Brock is our starter moving forward,” Kubiak said, per Mike Klis of 9News. “And we’re trying to get Peyton healthy. That’s where we’re at. The team knows that. If something were to change, you all will be the second guys to know. I hope. The team should always be first.”
Klis reported earlier in the day that Kubiak had told the players in a team meeting that this would be the case.
Though he was only speculating, Klis also believes Manning’s “return to the playing field is very much in doubt” and that he’s being kept from the IR as an emergency quarterback option, only.
Manning has already been shut down this week, which really does not bode well for him returning to the field this year. He practiced last week but had to shut it down on Friday due to pain in his foot.
Osweiler has shown flashes of potential since taking over for Manning, but after starting 3-0 he’s lost his last two and failed to generate scoring drives in the second half of both games. In particular, his inability to make things happen last weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers was troubling.
The Broncos could miss the playoffs, believe it or not, by losing two straight or by a loss this weekend, coupled with wins by the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets in their final two games.
Osweiler and his receivers must step up and play with more acumen down the stretch to ensure they stay alive in the playoff picture.