The Denver Broncos' continued search for a quarterback may lead them to some left-field options.
Following Peyton Manning's retirement and Brock Osweiler's departure via free agency, Broncos general manager John Elway turned his attention to San Francisco 49ers passer Colin Kaepernick. However, the financials of the situation and Denver's tight salary cap has put any such deal involving Kaepernick on hold for now.
With Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian as the only QBs on the roster at the moment, Denver is getting desperate. So desperate, in fact, that head coach Gary Kubiak has reportedly touched base with Johnny Manziel.
Both Manziel and Kubiak played quarterback at Texas A&M. Though Johnny Football is a free agent at the moment, the Broncos will not make any definitive moves on him until he sorts out his pending legal issues and the NFL makes a decision regarding any potential discipline.
In late February, the Dallas police department referred a domestic violence case against Manziel to a grand jury. The grand jury was weighing whether or not to charge the former Cleveland Browns first-rounder on allegations that he attacked his ex-girlfriend. But the Dallas County District Attorney's Office recently revealed that the grand jury ended its term last week before hearing the misdemeanor assault cast against the QB.
Within a week to 10 days a new grand jury that will hear Manziel's case is expected to be formed. The 23-year-old is facing a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Regardless of the grand jury outcome, Manziel is expected to be suspended by the NFL. It may be several weeks or even months before a decision is made, extending the timeline for the Broncos to make a move. If the team does sign Manziel at some point, it is expected that Denver will require him to attend mandatory counseling and even possible clinical work.
Manziel entered himself into a 10-week rehab stay at a facility in Pennsylvania for undisclosed reasons early last year. Over the last 12 months, however, he has been spotted at several clubs and night life venues.
Kubiak, speaking at the annual Boy Scouts of America breakfast Thursday morning, said that the Broncos are focused on Sanchez and Siemian at the moment.
"We need to stay focused on the guys on our team right now," Kubiak said.
Denver expected to monitor the quarterback prospects in this year's draft as well.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
