Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning Desperation Is an Insult to Tim Tebow

Since quarterback Peyton Manning was released on Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts, approximately 35 teams have been linked to the four-time NFL MVP (which is a bit odd, given that there are only 32 teams in the league). However, there is one team that has reportedly expressed a rather surprising level of interest in Manning that would seem to be a slap in the face to their current starting signal-caller and fan favorite.

The Denver Broncos have received a surprising amount of publicity regarding their possible interest in Peyton Manning, and as Sports Illustrated's Peter King tweeted Friday, there may be quite a bit more to the story than the Mile High media just looking for something to talk about.

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Denver wants Manning "desperately,'' one competitor for Peyton tells me.

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— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) March 9, 2012

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King's tweet jives with a report from Pro Football Talk in which former Denver quarterback Brian Griese discussed the possibility of the Broncos making a serious play for Peyton Manning, and Griese believes that it's quite a bit more likely than many people may think.

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I think it’s very realistic, More realistic than people would realize. John Elway won two Super Bowls when he was 37 and 38 in Denver. I think Denver is certainly in play. The differentiating factor in Denver will be John Elway and his ability to connect with Peyton Manning.

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These reports would certainly seem to reinforce the notion that Elway, who has gone from legend under center to calling the personnel shots in Denver, still has serious doubts about starting quarterback Tim Tebow's long-term viability in the NFL.

This comes after Tebow led the Broncos to a surprising AFC West title in 2011 and the team's first postseason victory in six years. In fact, Denver sportscaster Vic Lombardi tweeted that the Broncos could shop the third-year pro if they're able to land Manning.

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@BGWhoDat Hey, this may not happen. But if it does, I'm telling you they will trade Tebow. That's what I've learned.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 8, 2012

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However, Griese disputes the notion that Manning's arrival would signal the end of Tebow's wildly popular (and wildly inaccurate) tenure with the Broncos, and theorizes that the two quarterbacks could coexist on the same team.

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It’s not about Tim Tebow. This is not a situation where Tim Tebow would be cut or released or traded. He’s got three years left on his contract. This is not a situation where the Broncos are giving up on Tim Tebow. I think this is more about trying to win a Super Bowl with a team that they have now and adding Peyton Manning, and where that puts them in relation to the rest of the league, and the opportunities they have.

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This is all just speculation of course, and there will undoubtedly be tons more of that before Peyton Manning chooses his next home. But where there's smoke there is also often fire, and it seems that while Tim Tebow has faith, the Broncos and John Elway may have far less of it concerning Tim Tebow's ability to lead Denver to the Super Bowl.

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