Peyton Manning Returns to the Broncos for 2015 Season!

It is official, pending a physical and a signing of new restructured contract, Peyton Manning is coming back to the Denver Broncos and ready to go for his 18th NFL season. At last, this national nightmare of a story is put to bed. I didn't want to keep updating the blog with the constant Peyton Manning news that came out virtually every other day since the moment the Broncos lost to the Colts in the Divisional Playoffs on January 11th. I learned from following the NFL lockout in 2011 how frustrating and ridiculous a story can become if you follow Twitter, all the NFL insiders, all the shows on ESPN and NFL Network, all of the football message boards and blogs that are out there. The lockout took years off my life, and the question of Manning's decision to retire or come back was right up there with that. First, you had the constant questioning about if Denver wanted him back (Of course John Elway wanted him back.) Then, you had the questions about if Manning even wanted to play again and if the Broncos were the team for him after they dumped John Fox and Adam Gase left with Fox to go to Chicago (Manning want to play again no matter who the coaches were going to be.) After Denver hired Gary Kubiak to succeed Fox, the questions lingered about how Manning would fit in with Kubiak's offense (That was never going to be an issue.) A boatload of Broncos kept saying that they expect Manning to come back. Manning himself mentioned that he was still deciding, but talked to the people he had to talk to in Denver to make himself sure to return. Then, there was the meeting between Elway and Manning in Denver on February 12th. Then, there were reporters and people close to Manning explaining that Manning told the Broncos that he wanted to return in 2015, but no decision was made. Then, Elway and Kubiak told everyone at the scouting combine that they want Manning to come back. Then, there was speculation about a possible contract restructuring or even a pay cut, and even the possibility of Manning leaving Denver and playing someplace else in 2015. All these nonsense went on for over a month with reporters dropping hints either way about Manning and his possible return. It got to the point where I just started to lose interest in the whole story and just wanted to know when Manning was going to make his decision either way. Finally, we have that resolution. Manning is coming back to the Broncos in 2015. A few weeks after the season ended, Manning decided to start to work out and he wanted to play again and come back. The Broncos knew they wanted Manning back. The only hold up was that Denver wanted him to take a pay cut. After some negotiations, Manning and the Broncos agreed to cut Manning's salary in 2015 from $19 million to $15 million, and it gives the Broncos some more cap room and cash to improve their roster for next year.

The bottom line is that this is the best move the Broncos can make right now as the offseason officially begins with free agency on the horizon next week. Did I want Peyton to come back? Of course I did. I think Manning can still play at a high level. Even at 39, Manning is the best option for the Broncos at QB next year. He gives them the best chance to be a playoff team, and he gives them the best chance to go win the Super Bowl. I rewatched every game from the 2014 season. Manning was superb the first eight weeks. He was a surefire MVP candidate. The last eight weeks he didn't play to the expectations we have for him. Why? There are a few reasons. One, the Broncos offensive continued to struggle-especially on the road. The shifts in the line only proved to be a band-aid at times. Secondly, the Broncos shifted to more of a running game, and Manning wasn't being asked to spread the defense out and throw the ball all over the field. That took him out of his rhythm at times. Also, it seemed like the Broncos offense kind of got figured out in the Adam Gase era. Lastly, the wear and tear of a 17th NFL season wore on him and it culminated with a quad injury that he suffered against the Chargers on December 14th. That is the risk in a 38-year-old QB who is the whole "f'n" show of your offense. I have little doubt that Manning can still play at a high level. He did for the most part last year. If he can stay healthy, then I think Manning will still be a great player, put up sick numbers, and win a lot of games. I would be shocked if he plays poorly next year.

The addition of Gary Kubiak is going to help Manning in 2015. I'm sure that Kubiak will tailor the offense to suit Manning, and Manning will still be able to do what he wants to do. If the Broncos figure out a way to improve the offensive line, then Manning will have a really good running game and it will help him maintain his health over the long haul of a season. Change is good sometimes, and I think this is a perfect example. I would be shocked if Kubiak and Manning can't get on the same page. Plus, if Wade Phillips can get more out of this defense, then everything won't have to be on Manning's shoulders like it was the last three years.

I know there were a lot of Broncos fans out there that felt the team was better off moving on from Manning, but let's be real for a moment: Who were we turning to? Brock Osweiler may be the future, but we have no idea if he is going to be any good. If Manning left, we would be looking to sign guys like Mark Sanchez or Jake Locker in free agency. We could have tried to trade for Kirk Cousins. I mean come on. We are talking about Peyton Manning here. How quick people forget! Manning is the only and best option for the Broncos next year. Case closed. I don't want to hear any other argument about that.

Manning is coming back and the Broncos are ready to roll in free agency and the draft with an eye for getting to and winning Super Bowl 50. I remember when Denver signed Manning in 2012. I said at the time that if Manning gave Denver four years, that would be satisfying to me. I didn't want to see Manning play one year in Denver and then retire. Well, here we are. It is three years later, and Manning is coming back for his 4th season in Denver. I give the Manning signing in Denver an A as of right now. If Manning leads Denver to a Super Bowl title this year, then it is an A+ signing. One more thing: Don't you think Manning knows that everyone is doubting him? I mean the guy took a pay cut from his own team. Don't you think a pissed off Manning is good for the Broncos and bad for their opponents in 2015? All Manning heard from the moment they lost to the Colts was how he was done and finished. He watched as everyone poured the dirt on his grave, and praised Tom Brady as Brady and the Pats won the Super Bowl. He hears the whispers about how Brady is way better than him. He knows that one more Super Bowl victory could vault him to the status of greatest QB ever. He knows all this and that is why he is coming back. I'm pumped that Manning is returning, it gives the Broncos and their fans hope that they can rebound and win the Super Bowl, and it sends a message to the rest of the NFL that #18 is not going to go away quietly. Welcome back, Peyton. I'm glad you didn't walk away. Now, the 2015 offseason can officially begin and the Broncos have the Sheriff coming back for one more ride.