Peyton Manning will be a Denver Bronco

Peyton Manning has made a decision. The first-ballot Hall of Famer will head out west to join Hall of Famer John Elway and the Denver Broncos.

There’s no question Elway was instrumental in getting Manning to the mile-high city. Now the Bronco’s vice president of football operations, he has been a great mentor and friend for the four-time NFL MVP.

Denver works for Peyton, because he can have full-control. With John Fox as head coach, Peyton will continue to do what he did in Indianapolis serving essentially as the offensive coordinator gearing the offense towards him.

Like he dominated the AFC South, Peyton with Denver should be in full-control of the AFC West. The Broncos won the division in 2011, with a mediocre 8-8 record. He will fans the three other teams, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders twice next year.

In the end, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time ends up in a city not deemed a favorite. Not Miami, Washington, Arizona or New York.

It also wouldn’t surprise me if former teammates Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark or even Brandon Stokely, a Denver resident, join Peyton in Denver.

Colts fans can breathe easy next season, as the Broncos are not their schedule. But in 2013, Denver will come to Indy in what will be an emotional and tough homecoming for Peyton and Colts fans alike. Little brother Eli and the New York Giants are also not scheduled to face the Broncos next season.

It will be interesting to see what number he decides to wear. No. 18 is actually retired in Denver for Frank Tripucka. He however, has said it would be honor for Manning to wear it. Although maybe he’ll leave 18 in Indianapolis and go back to his number at the University of Tennessee, 16.

All this of course, if healthy.

Peyton did pass a physical for Denver last week in Durham, N.C., but he’s still rehabbing hard and hoping for nerve re-generation.

And so now, once official, Peyton Manning will be the only guy that can trump Tebow-mania. The Broncos are expected to trade Tim Tebow after Peyton signs.

[Photo via CBSSports.com]