Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Peyton Manning might be gone, but Broncos aren't going with him

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs next season will play in the AFC West along with the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time since 1999.

The situations have some similarities. Then, like now, the Denver Broncos were those defending champions. The 1998 Broncos had an eventual Hall of Fame quarterback, John Elway, who would retire soon after the Super Bowl victory while Peyton Manning likely played his last game in Sunday’s 24-10 championship game victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Elway’s retirement opened up an opportunity for the AFC West’s other teams because the Broncos wouldn’t win another division title for seven years after his departure.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, as well as the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers, Manning’s probable retirement wouldn’t do to the Broncos what Elway’s loss did to them 17 years ago.

Unlike the Chiefs, who have 10 regulars from last year with expiring contracts, that list is short for the Broncos. It contains linebacker Von Miller, the Super Bowl 50 MVP. But he’s not going anywhere. The Broncos will retain him as their franchise player if the sides otherwise can’t get a new deal worked out. Defensive lineman Malik Jackson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent as well, but the Broncos are far too wise to allow a 26-year-old rising star like Jackson to leave town.

The one other name of note on Denver’s list of potential free agents is quarterback Brock Osweiler. It’s difficult to picture the Broncos letting him walk out the door at the same time as Manning.

There’s not much reason for the Chiefs to fear the prospect of Osweiler as the Broncos’ starting quarterback. But it is worth noting the Broncos went 5-2 with Osweiler as their starting quarterback in 2015, though he had to be rescued by Manning off the bench for one of those victories.

The Broncos also should have stability on their coaching staff. Gary Kubiak and perhaps more importantly defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will be back next year as well.

It looks like the Broncos have some staying power. Manning might be gone, but the Broncos aren’t going with him.

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