Kubiak: ‘Nothing has changed’ at quarterback with Manning, Osweiler

“Peyton has never told Gary or myself that he doesn’t want to be the backup”, Elway wrote on Twitter.

John Elway reacted quickly Sunday morning to refute a report from NFL Network that his injured veteran quarterback Peyton Manning would refuse to be Brock Osweiler’s backup.

“He’s sore today. He played through it”, Kubiak said.

An X-ray in Pittsburgh, where Denver lost 34-27, didn’t reveal any breaks and Bruton said he was still under the impression he’d be back by next Monday night’s showdown with Cincinnati (11-3) until an MRI and another X-ray in Denver showed otherwise.

Everything about the last month has been unfamiliar for Manning. Last week Kubiak did not name a starter Monday and the Broncos initially didn’t list a quarterback on their media schedule, but after Kubiak spoke to Osweiler and Manning he then said Osweiler would start against the Steelers. Prior to 2015, neck surgeries in 2011 were the only thing that had kept him out of action.

Given the enthusiasm that Peyton Manning exerted in this interview with Kizla, it’s safe to assume that either Rapaport struck a nerve, or that his sources are incorrect. The fact that Manning was willing to work with the scout team on Wednesday and Thursday should be proof that he’s been open to a role that for so many years has been beneath him.

It’s unsurprising that Manning would not want to be a backup. 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. No. 1, it is bullshit.