Peyton Manning Makes a Choice – He’s Going to Colorado!

After much speculation, Peyton Manning has made a choice–he is going to the Mile High City to finalize a contract with the Denver Broncos. Peyton was also negotiating with the 49ers and the Titans, shortly after being released by the Colts just days ago. Manning’s 90 million dollar package was cut after three (or four, depending on who you ask) neck operations within 19 months. He suffered an entire season of inactivity in 2011.

The big question, of course, is whether Peyton Manning is still worth $90 million after taking more than a few major beatings. However, Broncos Vice President of football operations, John Elway, saw enough in Manning’s workout routine to be convinced that his arm was recovered.

This all leads to the big question: what does temporary starting quarterback Tim Tebow think of Peyton Manning’s new contract? It’s not as if Tebow is grateful to have a job. This kid is the NFL’s newest sensation, and took his team to a divisional round of the playoffs, salvaging an awful 1-4 start. By the end of the season, the Broncos were 8-8. If not for Tebow, they could have easily played as poorly as…well, the Colts, who finished 2-14.

Nevertheless, John Elway has been very non-committed to Tebow thus far (as more than a few experts cite Tebow’s accuracy problems), and now that he has signed Manning, it’s all but confirmed that Tebow won’t make camp. Many even predict that he’s as good as traded to any NFL team that’s willing to bargain.

While many are excited that Peyton landed a good gig, not everyone is convinced. Ex 49ers player Deion Sanders tweeted, “Manning to Broncos! Bad move just my opinion. Outside, no dome, very cold winters, inexperienced receivers. I would have chose 49ers.”

So the question is, where will Tebow go–assuming he’s not thrilled at Elway’s lack of support–and will Denver be second-guessing their signing come the 2012 season?

Eleanor Barkhorn of The Atlantic commented that Tebow now finds himself in a similar situation to Conan O’Brien, who was undervalued by NBC and replaced by Jay Leno in 2009. She offers a few words of advice: “tap into public sympathy, don’t take a job with a direct competitor and take some time off before the big return.”

What do you think? Did Denver blow it or make a tough and logical choice?

Categorized in: NFL