Gary Kubiak 'not saying' if Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler will start
Brock Osweiler who struggled against the Chargers in Week 17, throwing two interceptions and paving the way for Peyton Manning's slightly-less-than-triumphant return to the field.
By
Ryan Wilson
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1 min read
Peyton Manning played on Sunday for the first time since Nov. 15, when he was yanked for Brock Osweiler. But it was Osweiler who struggled against the Chargers in Week 17, throwing two interceptions and paving the way for Manning's slightly-less-than-triumphant return to the field.
The 39-year-old, who is recovering from a torn plantar fascia, finished 5 of 9 for 69 yards, helping the Broncos to the 27-20 win, and more importantly, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But now coach Gary Kubiak, who has benched both quarterbacks, must decide who will start when the Broncos play in the divisional round on Jan. 17.
And while Kubiak will need to make a decision at some point in the next two weeks, it won't happen anytime soon.
“I won’t say anything,” Kubiak said on Monday morning, via PFT. “I’ve got nothing for you today. ... I have no timeline.”
It certainly seems reasonable that if Manning is healthy he'll play. Osweiler has been adequate but nothing more, and even though Osweiler appears to be a better fit in Kubiak's offense (better arm, more mobile, more comfortable under center), Manning probably gives the Broncos the best chance to win. Either way, Kubiak remains poker-faced for the time being.
“I’m proud of both of them," the coach said. "Obviously Peyton did a great job early in the season before he went through the injury. Brock’s done a great job with this football team. Yesterday it took both of them. It’s taken all of us all year long."
Whoever ends up under center they'll have the benefit of playing alongside the NFL's best defense. And that could go a long way in masking either quarterback's shortcomings as the Broncos try to make another deep playoff run.
