Broncos Quarterback Battle: Brock Osweiler To Play More in 2015?

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the sidelines during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The quarterback position for the Denver Broncos the last three years has started and ended with Peyton Manning. The Broncos have had a variety of other camp arms come around, but for the most part, John Elway has hand-picked his QB crop that now includes Manning, fourth year player Brock Osweiler, third year player Zac Dysert, and rookie Trevor Siemian.

All of them hand-picked, all of them with different strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s take a quick look at the different players on the Broncos’ roster at the QB position, what their role could be this year, and what each guy brings to the table with a little bit of outside perspective as well.

Peyton Manning

Manning is the living legend, the future Hall of Famer who is hoping to ride off in the sunset like his boss, John Elway did. At this point in his Broncos career, Manning should have another title. Heck, he might even be retired at this point if the Broncos had taken care of business in 2012 or 2013 when they had their ‘best’ chances of doing so.

That said, I don’t know if a team has been more equipped than this year’s to carry Manning to the Super Bowl. This defense the Broncos have put together is even better than the one they had last year, which I thought was going to be great. Manning’s running game should be absolutely stellar, and despite not having Julius Thomas anymore, his targets should be reinforced by the ‘addition’ of second year player Cody Latimer, who has maybe the highest ceiling of any current Broncos offensive skill player.

And yes, I mean that.

Manning played last year with an injury toward the end of the season, and it severely hindered his ability to make throws he would otherwise make in his sleep. I don’t think he’s ‘done’ like some others think, but the window is closing. With a young, inexperienced offensive line, Manning might get hit a bit more this year than he did last year, when he was the least-sacked QB in the NFL.

Despite that stat, Manning was also one of the worst QBs in the league when under pressure. I’ll be really interested to see him on rollouts and plays that allow for more downfield route development, because the Broncos have been so much about quick-hitting passes and short yardage gains reliant upon YAC.

I think Manning can still sling it, but the Broncos also have to know his limitations. This is a huge year for Peyton, who may or may not be done after this season. I don’t even know if he knows that yet.

Next: Brock Osweiler