Peyton Manning Expected To Miss Multiple Games, Brock Osweiler Could Keep Starting Job

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the Broncos are in “no rush to get Peyton Manning back on the field.”

Instead, La Canfora expects Brock Osweiler to get at least two starts while Manning rehabs his rib and shoulder injuries.

According to La Canfora, it’s unlikely the Broncos will go back to Manning as their starter in any circumstance until he’s able to practice on a regular basis. However, if Osweiler can step in and get the offense rolling, he could keep the job for the foreseeable future.

Denver is reportedly in “Super Bowl-or-bust mode” right now, which means they plan to do whatever it takes to play deep into the postseason, including benching a future Hall of Fame quarterback.

La Canfora considers is “virtually certain” Manning will not be back next season, which makes the next few games extremely valuable from an evaluation standpoint in regards to Osweiler.

Sources have told La Canfora that Osweiler’s mobility and agility will allow HC Gary Kubiak to open his playbook and include more moving pockets, bootlegs and waggles.

Manning, 39, is in the fourth year of his five-year, $96 million contract that included $18 million guaranteed. He’ll make base salaries of $15 million in 2015 and another $19 million next year.

On the season, Manning has thrown for 2,180 yards while completing 59.9 percent of his passes to go along with nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

We’ll have more regarding Manning’s future as the news is available.