Peyton Manning was not chosen as one of the best quarterbacks of the past decade.
The NFL’s 2010’s All-Decade List was released Monday, and although Broncos Country was well represented with the likes of Von Miller and former Bronco Chris Harris Jr. being named to their respective positions, there were a couple of shocking omissions from the list.
While there were likely many snubs across the league, arguably the biggest snub was the absence of Peyton Manning at quarterback.
The reasoning that Manning may have been left off of the list was that he only played half of the decade (he retired following the 2015 season) and it is arguable that his best days were prior to 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts.
However, there are also plenty of reasons why Manning deserved to make the cut.
While quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are deserving of their spots on the list, there was room for guys like Manning and even Drew Brees, whose fans are likely also feeling spurned today.
Manning signed with the Broncos in 2012 and would play in Denver until he finished his career, putting in four magical seasons with the team. The Broncos would win the AFC West each of those years and won playoff games in three out of those four seasons, including two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory.
It is true that Manning’s play deteriorated in 2015. However, this was also the season that he would surpass Brett Favre’s record for career passing yards before his benching and eventual injury.
However, if you ask fans, I bet this is not what they remember about Manning in the 2015 season. I bet if you were to ask a fan, what they remember is the Sheriff riding in to save the day as the Broncos trailed the Chargers in Week 17 with a chance to secure the one seed and leading the way to victory.
I bet they remember Manning’s nearly perfect postseason without any turnovers until the Super Bowl, a pretty remarkable feat in what had proven to be a pretty tumultuous season for Manning.
I bet they remember that while it was clear Manning had regressed, there was still little doubt he would be just good enough to take the Broncos to the promised land and win Super Bowl 50.
Because the Sheriff never stopped shooting.
It is also worth mentioning that the 2010s were when Manning had what would be considered his best two seasons. In 2013, he finished with 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns, career highs for him in both categories.
Although that season would end in an embarrassing route in the Super Bowl, Manning engineered what would arguably be the greatest offense in franchise history and a notable admission to the best offenses of all time.
Manning opened that season with seven touchdown passes against the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the sixth player of all time to do so. The Broncos’ offense would put up 50+ points in three separate contests, becoming the first team to do so. Manning would receive the No.1 spot on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2013 and earned his fifth NFL MVP honor.
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The following season, Manning finished with 4,727 pass yards and 39 touchdowns, his second-highest pass yardage and third-highest touchdown rate. In that season, Manning would throw his 500th touchdown pass, tied Dan Marino for most 400+ yard games by a quarterback and would become the all-time leader for passing touchdowns with his 509th touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers.
He would earn his 14th Pro Bowl spot, along with his 27th and final AFC Offensive Player of the Week accolade in his record-breaking performance against the Niners.
Although Manning’s career would come to an end halfway through the decade, it is beyond debate that the decade was kind to Manning, with two Super Bowl appearances, multiple records, an MVP award, becoming the second quarterback to beat all 32 NFL teams, and a ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl victory.
Manning was snubbed from the All-Decade Team, but we know he truly did earn a spot as one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the 2010s; it’s just a shame that it was not honored.