Peyton Manning: What Broncos QB Must Do to Improve Before Regular Season Begins

Peyton Manning was nothing short of disappointing during his preseason debut as the Denver Broncos’ $96 million dollar man under center.

In what turned out to be a 31-3 blowout win over the Chicago Bears, the former Indianapolis Colts superstar did little to contribute.

Manning threw an interception in the red zone on the first possession of the game and finished with one decent march down the field, connecting on four passes in his seven attempts—totaling up 44 yards.

That simply isn’t what the Broncos expect from the future Hall of Famer, and Manning will have to improve drastically by September 9. That’s the date that Denver opens the regular season against Pittsburgh—the team that Tim Tebow helped dismantle in last year’s playoffs before being shipped to the Jets in favor of Peyton.

The 36-year-old wasn’t even under pressure from Julius Peppers or Brian Urlacher in the contest—widely regarded as the two best defenders on the Chicago roster. Manning wasn’t hurried at all during his lone drive and never had to worry about his surgically repaired neck taking a beating.

He’s certainly going to face quality opponents with mean defenders looking to cause chaos and bring Peyton down hard. That’s a simple fact of life in the National Football League.

The four-time NFL MVP has to gauge the health of his neck, work on building a rapport with his receivers and limit his mistakes over the next three preseason contests and practices.

The rust of not playing for over a year was on full display against the Bears and will not easily rub off. No. 18 will have to work his hardest to accomplish those goals, but if anyone can make it look easy, it’s Peyton Manning.