Perhaps there is something to the Peyton Manning retirement movement after all -- at least as far as quarterback rating goes.
The former Super Bowl MVP is one of four former No. 1 draft picks that are in the bottom of the league in QBR, as he currently owns a 41.0 rating. Joining the future Hall of Famer on the bottom of the pile are Sam Bradford (24.0) of the Eagles, the 49ers' Alex Smith (25.5) and Manning's successor with the Colts, Andrew Luck (28.5).
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Manning, 39, is the oldest of the bunch and he was drafted No. 1 overall by Indianapolis in 1998. The Colts then landed Luck, 26, with the top pick in 2012 following their trade of Manning. Bradford, 27, was the top selection for the Rams in 2007 and Smith, 31, was taken first overall by the 49ers in 2005.
There have been a lot of critics of Manning, especially after he failed to throw a touchdown pass in his Week 1 game against the Ravens. The campaign for Manning to retire continued early on in Denver's game against Kansas City last week, but the 14-time Pro Bowler appeared to silence his critics when he threw for three scores and surpassed the 70,000-yard plateau.
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Lowest Total QBR through 2 games feature 4 number one overall draft picks. pic.twitter.com/9C7Qlp2Cd2
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 24, 2015
Still, the QBR for the Broncos signal caller doesn't lie and provides plenty of venom for his detractors. Another aspect of Manning's game that is constantly picked apart is his lack of postseason success. Manning won the Super Bowl to close out the 2006 season, but he's struggled to replicate that feat.
The closest Manning has come recently is when he led Denver to Super Bowl XLVIII where they crashed and burned in spectacular fashion. It was an embarrassing game for Denver as Manning threw two picks and the team lost 43-8.
Manning and the Broncos next play the struggling defense of the Lions in Week 3 action Sunday.
Maybe Manning can improve his numbers at their expense. Maybe the retirement chatter will continue.
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