Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State defeated Penn State 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
The illustrious career of Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning is coming to an end. Who will replace him?
This upcoming season will be Peyton Manning’s 18th and in all likelihood his last. It’ll undoubtedly be a bittersweet moment for fans everywhere when “The Sheriff” finally decides to hang up his cleats.
Bitter because fans will never again watch Manning surgically dissect a defense in awe-inducing fashion, barking out all sorts of audibles and signals, from “Omaha!” to “Bags Montana Fat Man.”
His retirement, while unfortunate, is sweet in the way of what it represents: The beginning of a new era in Broncos’ history.
As of right now, the man that is supposed to usher Denver into said era is none other than Brock Osweiler. The fourth-year product out of Arizona State has been Manning’s backup since he was picked in the second-round of the 2012 NFL draft. Only now does Osweiler finally seem to be getting significant reps with the first-team offense, turning heads in the process.
The fact remains that he hasn’t inspired much confidence in the organization and his ability to lead the Broncos as a true franchise quarterback has come under intense scrutiny over the course of this offseason. Many even predicted that Denver would pick a quarterback within the first three rounds of the draft.
Trevor Siemian of Northwestern was selected by the Broncos, but not until the seventh round.
Seeing as no quarterbacks were added to the roster this offseason outside of Siemian, could the Broncos answer at the most important position in football possibly lie in the 2016 draft?
Not only could their much-wanted answer possibly await them in the coming draft, but might it be embedded specifically in the Big Ten Conference?
Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg, and Cardale Jones all hail from what is arguably the nation’s top conference and each are projected to be the first three quarterbacks taken off the board in next year’s draft.
If Osweiler doesn’t fully show that he’s the Broncos’ quarterback of the future, then trading up for a QB remains in the realm of possibility.
They’re big, all relatively mobile, and strong-armed, traits that fit head coach Gary Kubiak’s description of a quarterback to a “T”.
If Osweiler doesn’t fully show that he’s the Broncos’ quarterback of the future, then trading up for Cook, Hackenberg, or Jones remains in the realm of possibility.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Big Ten signal-callers that were listed.