Three years ago, the Texans and coach Gary Kubiak opted to keep Matt Schaub over signing Peyton Manning. Today, Schaub is coaching Peyton Manning. And turning him into another Matt Schaub.
Under Kubiak, Schaub became the King of the Pick Six in the last season of his Houston career. In two games with Kubiak as the coach, Manning has thrown two interceptions returned for touchdowns. And he has thrown no touchdown passes to members of his own team.
With Kansas City up 7-0, rookie cornerback Marcus Peters intercepted a Manning pass and returned it 55 yards for a score. On the next offensive snap, Manning nearly threw another one.
It’s hard to tell whether the blame falls to Kubiak or to Manning. It likely belongs to both, with Kubiak forcing a 39-year-old quarterback to run a new offense instead of sticking with what worked and with Manning simply not the guy he used to be.
Ultimately, some of the blame traces to G.M. John Elway, who opted to part ways with John Fox and not to hire offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who surely wouldn’t have changed the offense.
At this rate, it’s just a matter of time before Brock Osweiler gets a chance to become the next Matt Schaub.