Peyton Manning Rumors: Why Peyton Manning to Broncos Equals Tim Tebow Trade

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Denver Broncos are currently considered the leader for free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. Thanks to a wealth of salary cap room, the Broncos could wind up adding Manning and maybe a few of his former Indianapolis Colts teammates to go along with him. If that happens, you can bet that current starting quarterback Tim Tebow will be traded away from the Mile High City.

Pro Football talk cites a source that claims Tebow would be traded, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are a likely destination.

This makes sense, as Manning clearly doesn't want to play for a team where he'll have to be looking over his shoulder at his eventual successor. After four MVPs and 11 Pro Bowl selections, he seems to think he's earned the right to avoid a quarterback controversy. And frankly, I agree with him.

That's bad news for Tebow, who will likely have to figure out how to run a new offense in a new city that can decide if it wants to join in the Tebowmania. 

If Manning passes on the Broncos, the team is expected to spend a second- or third-round pick on a signal-caller, while they will also probably sign a veteran free agent as well. 

Word out of Denver this weekend claimed that Tebow was "rattled" by Manning's visit with the team. I have to admit, I was shocked that the Broncos threw their hat in the ring for the 35-year-old quarterback's services, but I can't imagine what Tebow is going through. After all the kid did to answer questions about himself all season long and leading Denver to the playoffs and a stunning first-round upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's kind of sad to see the team looking to move on so quickly.

In a pure football sense, Manning makes a whole lot more sense for the Broncos than Tebow when you consider the type of quarterback that team vice president John Elway was and the kind of guys head coach John Fox has used in the past.

So, it won't be surprising if Manning is in Denver and Tebow is elsewhere next season.