Peyton Manning: The Colt That Became A Bronco

Peyton Manning spent many a year donning an Indianapolis Colt's horseshoe. How fitting he may enter his NFL career's twilight years similarly equine.

Poetic witicism aside, USA Today and ESPN report that the four-time NFL MVP quarterback and former Super Bowl MVP has asked that agent Tom Condon start contract negotiations with the Denver Broncos. ESPN's Chris Mortensen broke the news late Monday morning on SportsCenter.

It had come down to the Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans. Manning's Denver deal could reach his previous Indianapolis five-year, $90-million contract's ballpark, reports USA Today. Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay announced earlier this month that the team had released Manning following four career-threatening neck surgeries that killed his 2011 season, but also a doctor's clearance for him to resume throwing.

ESPN's Adam Schefter added that Denver may consider acquiring Manning's former Indy teammate center Jeff Saturday. He adds that Denver may also consider trading 2011 phenom quarterback Tim Tebow, who took the Broncos on a late-season tear in his second season with the team and his first seeing starting time.

For his part, Grantland.com Editor-In-Chief and "B.S. Report" host Bill Simmons seems like he's scratching his head breaking down dumping a young, healthy Tebow for damaged-goods Manning.

Any time you can dump a QB with mystical powers for a 35 year old guy coming off 4 neck surgeries, you have to do it.

— Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33) March 19, 2012

ESPN analyst John Clayton couldn't see it more oppositely. In his opinion, it speaks volumes for John Elway as a Broncos executive.

John Elway was great completing passes as a player, By getting Peyton Manning, he shows how good he is as a football executive.

— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) March 19, 2012