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Denver Broncos: Possible Insurance Plans for Peyton Manning

By Joel Childers

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Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback

Matt Schaub

(8) throws before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Schaub (Ravens)

Now this call wouldn’t exactly be to a quarterback, but instead to his current team: the Baltimore Ravens. The free agent market is slim, and of all the potential trades for a veteran backup, this one seems to have the most potential. Matt Schaub has had quite a long career, including three 4,000 yard seasons and one season leading the league in passing.

Schaub played most of his career in Houston with current Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, and knows what it takes to play with talented receivers like Thomas and Sanders, as he was the quarterback who threw most of the passes caught by Houston great Andre Johnson. Schaub was on an upward trajectory as a quarterback before he completely fell apart in the 2013 season, throwing 14 interceptions, including pick-sixes in a record four consecutive games.

After spending a year in Oakland where he attempted only 10 passes, Schaub signed with the Ravens in the offseason as Joe Flacco‘s backup. Despite Baltimore’s struggles, Joe Flacco’s $120 million contract makes it unlikely that the team would bench him in favor of Schaub. While the same argument could be made for Manning and the Broncos, the Ravens are far more likely to simply count this as a lost season and hope for a high draft pick than the 6-0 Broncos are, who are actually hoping to win something this year.

Schaub was traded a few years ago to the Raiders for a 6th round pick, and could be even cheaper now. At age 34 he certainly wouldn’t be a long-term answer, but if Denver wanted to bring in a savvy veteran who was familiar with the coach and could potentially fill in for Manning, they could do no better than Schaub.

Next: Broncos Must Trade For a Pass Catcher or Bench Manning

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