It’s Time to Release Peyton Manning: Ryan Edwards

It’s Time to Release Peyton Manning

Ryan Edwards

“To tell you the truth, I know that Peyton has not decided.”

Peyton Manning is mulling over the decision determining his future in the NFL, but most everyone, including his agent Tom Condon, agree it won’t be with the Denver Broncos next season. Condon was, as a good agent should be, protective of his client’s interests Wednesday morning on Schlereth and Evans. The quote above should tell you a lot about where Manning is at these days with one week to go before his $19 million guarantee kicks in. The Broncos won’t be paying that for a multitude of reasons, but with Peyton set to announce some kind of decision next week, John Elway may be forced to do something he probably would prefer NOT to do: Cut Peyton Manning.

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Before we get to cutting this future hall of fame QB, it’s important to acknowledge the landscape of things. Whether you think Brock Osweiler is the answer at quarterback or not is almost beside the point now. The Broncos want him here and there isn’t a universe that exists where Brock and Peyton are on this team at the same time to start the 2016 season. The reason, among a few, that Peyton Manning won’t be back in a Broncos uniform has a lot to do with needing to move into the future with former 2nd round pick (57th overall) in 2012. This however doesn’t mean that Osweiler is a lock to be the guy here. In fact, according to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, the Broncos won’t come close to the $16 million per season that the average starting QB in the league makes. Most imagine the Broncos are offering just north of $12 million which would mean Brock is likely to test free agency to see if he can get closer to the number he thinks he deserves. After all, Osweiler is considered by most to be the most valuable free agent quarterback available now that Bradford and Cousins are off the market. Sure, Robert Griffen III and Colin Kaepernick may emerge as options but today, one week out from the start of free agency, Brock offers the most value.

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Peyton has been great and the Broncos have clearly thrived with him as their starting QB, but Brock is the future. There are obviously contingency plans for Denver if Brock AND Peyton leave, but for now, this is the direction of the team.

So, if Peyton isn’t coming back and the Broncos won’t have a decision from him until next week, why are they waiting to release him? Denver can’t trade him. There isn’t a team out there that would give the Broncos anything of trade value knowing they can negotiate with Manning on March 9th for whatever price they want. According to The Fan’s 9 News Broncos Insider Mike Klis, Peyton won’t be required to take a physical on Friday, March 4th so don’t count on that failed test aiding the process of releasing him.

One way or another, John Elway will have to cut/release Peyton Manning soon but it won’t be a difficult decision. The positive PR spin could almost look like it did when Jim Irsay released Manning four years ago. A public press conference would allow John to acknowledge how great Peyton has been for the organization these past four years but admit it’s time to look to the future at quarterback. Similar timing could involve the announcement of Brock’s fancy new contract with the Broncos. In this scenario, everyone saves face and can part amicably. Of course, under this scenario, Denver has to have Brock locked up before March 9th, right? Otherwise, they will have to cut Peyton and NOT have the QB of the future on the roster. Then, they are just cutting him because…his salary is too high? …he is done and can’t play? …he doesn’t fit in Kubiak’s system? Take your pick, but it’s not nearly the romanticized ending most have hoped for. It’s the cold business end of the NFL and it’s not the kind of grace you’re supposed to show a future hall-of-famer.

NFL fans hope Peyton Manning will retire and “ride off into the sunset” after winning his second career Super Bowl. Of course, this is still a sincere possibility. Today, at least according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Peyton still wants to play and, more specifically, still thinks he can play. It doesn’t matter what the fans, media or his family think should be the perfect ending to his elite career. If he wants to play, there will be a market for him in the NFL.

What should the Broncos do to solve this? Hard deadlines will help the process, obviously. When Elway and Kubiak meet with Peyton this week they will be honest about where they see things and the direction of the organization. They will let him know that no matter what he wants to do, as of March 8th, the team is moving on without him. If Peyton tells Elway and Kubiak that he needs more time to consider his options, the Broncos might find it in their best interest to just release him now and see if a contract can be agreed upon with Brock before other teams drive the price up.

John Elway and the Broncos have done a great job being respectful of Peyton when it comes to the decision about his future, but it’s time. It’s time to add some pressure to the situation and act in the best interest of the team. The sooner Elway realizes this, the more likely he will be able to accomplish the future goals of the Broncos. The longer he waits to move on from Manning, the likelihood rises he will have to overpay for Brock and possibly miss out on retaining key free agents.

Ryan Edwards

@ryanedwards1043

TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports