Rivers, not Romo, could fill veteran QB role for the Broncos

Ian Rapoport, an insider for the NFL Network, tweeted on Sunday that it’s “no secret” that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is eyeing the Denver Broncos as a possible destination after losing his starting role to rookie Dak Prescott.

However, Rapoport reports that he’s been told Denver isn’t likely to trade for Romo.

But with chances unknown on whether Romo could actually land in Denver, Broncos fans needs not look further than the team’s division for another strong veteran quarterback to fill that “Peyton Manning” mold: Philip Rivers.

On Friday, “The Drive” host Alfred “Big Al” Williams and DMac contemplated bringing in the longtime Broncos rival to suit up in orange and blue.

“Man, let us have him. We’ll take him off your hands (Chargers) … and match him up with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Let us take him off your hands,” Williams said.

DMac said Denver general manager John Elway would be “foolish not to consider” trading for Rivers, especially after the club hired his former head coach Mike McCoy as its offensive coordinator last week.

During McCoy’s four years leading the Chargers, Rivers surpassed career averages in touchdowns per season (31), yards per game (280.3), and quarterback rating (95.1).

“Couldn’t you see Philip Rivers looking at the example of Peyton Manning and saying, ‘Man, if I could get a great last four years, and I’m going to work with Mike McCoy, who believes in me, and I’ve got weapons like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas,” DMac said.

There’d be no relearning of the offensive language for Rivers under McCoy, DMac said, adding, “He’d know all the checks. He’d know the system. He’d know the calls. He’d know everything.”

And for those fans uncomfortable with Rivers, who has for years earned the ire of Broncos Country, DMac pointed to the success of the Manning years.

“We went to two Super Bowls with Manning, (and) won one of them. Peyton Manning’s legend here grows, and you really could not ask for a better time we had there than the four years we had with Peyton Manning,” DMac said.

“And I’m telling you, Philip Rivers, he’s the type of player if he’s on your team you love him; if he’s on another team you hate him. You would love Philip Rivers.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.