Denver Broncos Would Save Franchise by Ditching Tim Tebow for Peyton Manning

The Denver Broncos can save the direction of their franchise by getting rid of Tim Tebow at quarterback and taking a shot on now former Indianapolis Colts superstar Peyton Manning.

It would be a risk, but in the case of the Denver Broncos, this is a risk worth taking. This team is not going to win a Super Bowl with Tebow under center. He's simply not a good quarterback.

What's more, if we've learned anything in this league, it's that—more often than not—it takes an elite quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

Tebow is serviceable under center at best, but his long-term sustainability and ceiling are extremely limited. He's certainly not elite.

Heck, he's not even good.

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are all elite quarterbacks, and all have Super Bowl rings.

Meanwhile, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco and Tony Romo are all second-tier quarterbacks that can't seem to get it done despite all the help their teams are giving them.

Tebow isn't even close to that group of second-tier quarterbacks, so how can you expect him to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl if better quarterbacks are trying and failing with their teams?

More times than not, it takes an elite quarterback.

We don't know what Manning is going to bring to the table, and I've been pretty open about the fact that I've been highly critical of his comeback.

This is a guy coming off multiple neck surgeries, nerve damage, he hasn't played an NFL game in over a year and he's 35 years old.

For most teams, I wouldn't recommend signing him, especially if there was any sort of long-term plan in place.

However, for the Broncos, the risk may be worth the reward.

Even at 50 percent, Manning is a huge upgrade over Tebow under center.

With the addition of a playmaking wide receiver via free agency or the draft, and the continued growth of an already talented defense, adding Manning to this team would make them contenders in a very weak AFC West division.

John Fox clearly has no problem catering his offense to the quarterback, which is something Manning would like, and the running game will really open up a ton of space for a guy with his football IQ.

If the Broncos can bring in Manning, give him a few offensive weapons and continue to have a strong running game and defensive presence, the next few years could be very bright.

Adding Manning plus a piece or two to this team would make them Super Bowl contenders.

That's something that we can't say about a Tim Tebow-led Broncos team.