Manning turns 36 years old on Saturday and he is hardly the picture of robust health. Obviously NOT along-term solution or even a middle-term solution to anything for the Broncos.
The Broncs have the personnel to make a run for the Superbowl, but are worried that Tim needs a lot more refining, so in Manning they got themselves a a guy who quite possibly could give them 1 to 3 years of excellence while schooling Tim in the finer points. They want Peyton as a player-coach (QB)
Exactly, its a win now league. I listen to Pat Kirwan and Gil Brandt, and they both say there is constantly a battle in front offices between coaches/owenrs and personnel departments. The personnel depts (scouts, GMs) try to acquire long term talent, but coaches are almost always focused on how do we win a Super Bowl this year. The owner is usually a tiebreaker, but most of the time looks for the instant win himself (Redskins, Cowboys, Raiders). The coaches dont have the luxury of waiting 5 years for the GM’s plans to come true.
If Denver wins a SB with Peyton, it will have been worth it.