Broncos' quarterback Peyton Manning (Photo : Reuters)
There were differing speculations with regards to the allegedly botched trade between the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans that included five-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning.
Reports went out on Tuesday saying that Denver tried trading the quarterback to Houston this offseason as management wants Brock Osweiler to be their starting signal caller on September. Osweiler had long been Manning's backup QB, but he is still untested with only 30 passes under his belt after three seasons with the Broncos.
On Wednesday, CBS Houston confirmed that trade talks for Manning between the Texans and the Broncos are currently ongoing. The radio show even said that the discussions took place before Manning signed his current two-year, $34 million contract with Denver, and if the trade pushed through, the compensation would have to be restructured as Houston is unable to afford it.
However, Broncos VP for public relations Patrick Smyth quickly denied the rumors on the same day via a tweet. Tom Condon, the star quarterback's agent, also negated the gossip saying that he is not aware of any trade talks involving his client.
But the speculations still would not stop, especially when NBC Sports' Mike Florio mentioned in his article something about an inclusion of a 2015 no-trade clause in Manning's contract. This made NFL analysts wonder, why would Manning and the Broncos need to include that if any trade is highly unlikely?
Assumptions continue to abound with regards to this breaking news. But with the recent coaching changes taking place within the team, and Manning's advancing age and increasing physical disadvantages, anything can happen in Denver.
