Peyton Manning knows football. Indianapolis Colts fans all know this. He led Indy to a Super Bowl and the division crown eight times. He might have later played for the Denver Broncos, but in Colts fans' hearts, he will always belong to Indianapolis first.
Still, while he had good raw skill, if not elite athleticism, one of the reasons he was so successful was that he was an elite observer of the sport. He read defenses easily and knew how to adjust as needed. Even when his arm strength deteriorated later in his career, he put his teams in a position to win.
This is why Manning's latest comments about the Broncos, the team he joined after leaving the Colts in 2012, come with a bit of an ouch. The icon meant no disrespect to the Colts, but what he said about the Broncos is somewhat disheartening.
Peyton Manning talks about the Broncos the way Colts fans want him to talk about Indianapolis
In a talk with the Denver Post's Troy Renck, Manning said of the Broncos, "I can tell from watching practice one day and sort of keeping up, belief and confidence are high in the building. And that's what you want, right? Where we are not hoping we are a good team, but knowing we are a good team. That you believe it. Now you have to go do it. But the belief is there."
Unfortunately, we can safely assume that Peyton Manning would not be offering the same words about the Indianapolis Colts. Indy is very good at some positions, but not very good (as of yet) at the most important position. That would be the one Manning played during his career.
The Colts might be competitive this season because of the strength of their defensive line and running attack, but no one can claim the team is going into the 2025 season with the same kind of confidence the seemingly ascending Broncos have. Denver believes it can potentially make a run at the Super Bowl. Indy just hopes to make the playoffs.
That could change by the middle of the season. In fact, the perception of who the team will be will be different by the middle of the season. Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones could be playing quality football, and if that happens, Indy is going to be very good.
Or the quarterback play could continue to be mediocre at best, and injuries happen to key players, and the season sinks quickly. The Denver Broncos are likely not as concerned about such things. Peyton Manning knows it. Indianapolis Colts fans probably know it too..