NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos to Pursue Kevin Kolb If Released by Cardinals?

Hang with me here as we run through a falling-dominoes theory surrounding the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb. 

According to the Denver Post, the Broncos "would have to be interested" in Kolb should the Cardinals successfully sign released quarterback Peyton Manning and then, in turn, release Kolb.

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For instance, if the Arizona Cardinals pull off an upset and sign Manning, Kevin Kolb likely would be released. If Kolb becomes a free agent, the Broncos would have to be interested.

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It's obviously long-reaching speculation, but at least fans can take comfort in the Broncos' perceived lack of interest in Manning.

Adding Kolb to Denver's roster would be a fascinating sub-plot to the Manning noise that is certain to overtake the NFL radio waves over the next couple of weeks.   

The Broncos have Tim Tebow scheduled to be the franchise's starting quarterback leading into training camp, but it's clear that the team has been uncommitted to Tebow over the long term. That being said, at the very least, they have to allow Tebow another chance to grow and improve at the game's most important position after he helped the Broncos out of the NFL's cellar a year ago.

Even so, adding a young yet experienced quarterback like Kolb behind Tebow makes sense.

Not only would the Broncos have a player to push Tebow harder to win the starting quarterback position, but they'd also have a solid backup plan should Tebow regress or teams start figuring out the Broncos' unconventional offense.

A trip to Denver would be just another stop on Kolb's whirlwind path to the NFL's limelight. 

Kolb, 27, signed a six-year $65 million contract after being traded to the Cardinals last summer from Philadelphia. He then fought injuries and inconsistency in his first season in Arizona, and is now considered an early "bust" for the Cardinals. You only have to look at the Cardinals' interest in Manning a year later for evidence of that fact.

The Cardinals only gave Kolb $10 million in guarantees, which also included his first year's base pay. Releasing him now wouldn't cost Arizona a big salary cap hit should Manning be brought on board.   

However, while there are concerns, there are also reasons why teams such as the Cardinals were interested in Kolb last summer.

He's a quarterback with starting experience and a ceiling that obviously hasn't been reached yet. Given the right situation and time, Kolb can still be a franchise's No. 1 guy.  

In the end, a lot of dominoes need to fall for this to even be a considered option for the Denver Broncos. However, should those dominoes tumble in this direction, Kolb-to-Denver wouldn't be such a stretch, especially in a backup situation.

It's something to chew on during a period in which Broncos fans surely don't want to hear any Manning-to-Denver talk.