Denver Broncos general manager John Elway wasted no time shooting down a report that Peyton Manning doesn't want to be the backup for Brock Osweiler. Elway tweeted on Sunday morning that reports about Manning's aversion to a reserve role with the Broncos are false.
Peyton Manning never said he doesn’t want to be a backup, per John Elway
John Elway refuted a report that Peyton Manning doesn’t want to be a backup to Brock Osweiler.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Manning wants to start ahead of Osweiler once he is healthy enough to do so. Manning has been dealing with a foot injury since the summer and will travel with the team for a Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but isn't yet ready to return.
"It is a trying time for Peyton Manning, who has always been a starter his entire career," Rapoport said on NFL GameDay Morning. "It does not sound like he is inclined to be Brock Osweiler's backup. That is one issue, and one I'm told he's pretty serious about."
Elway was quick to come to the quarterback’s defense on Twitter, shortly after the report from Rapoport:
Peyton has never told Gary or myself that he doesn't want to be the backup. Any report or rumor that suggests otherwise is incorrect!!
— John Elway (@johnelway) December 20, 2015 Rapoport stuck to his report after he was asked about Elway’s tweet and said several people know about Manning’s desire to avoid a backup role, although it’s not as though the 14-time Pro Bowler issued Elway and the team’s management an ultimatum.
Manning has just nine touchdowns and an NFL-leading 17 interceptions in nine starts for the Broncos. Osweiler hasn't been particularly effective at leading the Denver offense either, though, and the team failed to score a single touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14.
In Manning’s 18-year NFL career, he has started every single one of the 265 games he has been active for. Before 2015, neck surgeries in 2011 were the only thing that had kept him out of action.
Despite having the No. 24 offense in the NFL, the Broncos are 10-3 and lead the AFC West because of the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
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