If that were true, the Colts wouldn't have let him go. Apparently the team that knew him best didn't think he was worth keeping.
I think Elway and crew made a personal, not business, decision. Tebow took the Broncos to their first playoff in SIX years, and the fans were excited again--and buying merchandise like crazy. Manning's got what? A year or two? Maybe? Tebow's got a good 15 years ahead of him. Elway made a lousy business decision--but then it was obvsious to all he had a personal dislike of Tebow from the start. He'll regret his choice.
Those are completely different situations. Th Colts let him go, as well as the GM and coaching staff. They decided to go in a different direction as a long term project, accepting short term loss with the potential of long term success. They also got real lucky that a spectacular prospect came along for them to snag up. But I would bet their new coach would rather have Peyton suit up game 1 than Luck.
The Broncos, with a stout defense, emrging WR and a pretty good OL with All Pro potential are in a win now mode. Manning helps you do that. The NFL is a win now league. This is not a personal decision because of Tebow’s lifestyle. That is just what people want it to be, because otherwise they have to admit that Peyton is better than Tebow.
Sorry but you’re missing half the equation.
The Colts situation was strictly business as Manning was due a $28 million bonus merely for being on the roster. Jim Irsay, Manning et al knew the team wouldn’t be rebuilt and competitive within the time window Manning had left so they parted by mutual agreement.
‘Tebow made the playoffs’ is the favored cry in many quarters but many mediocre or worse teams have done the same e.g. San Diego Chargers. The divisional alignments and the wild card system produce some marginal playoff qualifiers and anyone who watched the Broncos ride their luck into the postseason can’t - or shouldn’t - credit Tebow with opponents mismanaging clock etc.
How can Elway have made a lousy business decision if he gets a top-flight quarterback for a relative bargain? There’s a reason multiple teams wanted Manning and why a flurry of trades will follow this signing. All of Tebow’s liabilities have not disappeared, with or without a playoff game under his belt. It’s a passing league now and any QB with attempts in the single digits per game is not going to experience sustained success.