Trading players in the National Football League is as nail-biting as the game itself. A trade can make or break a whole season, shift fan alliances, and changes more than just the logo on a player’s helmet. The only thing more devastating than losing a beloved player to a trade, is when that player decides to retire, especially when that player is Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning’s success in the NFL is undeniable. Manning culminated his successful career by leading the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Manning confirmed his retirement from football soon after his triumph. The Broncos’ defensive line hopes to maintain their stellar performance of last season, despite some big trades in this area. This, though, may not be of the Broncos’ main concern. The football world is reeling over who will take Manning’s place, especially considering the movement of free agent Brock Osweiler to the Texans, to the tune of $72 million over four years.

Rumors are running high in the Mile High City. Who could replace their beloved Peyton Manning? The Bronco’s search for a premiere starting quarterback is in full swing, and there are a few options on which the Broncos could capitalize.

A highly probable trade would be of Colin Kaepernick from the San Francisco 49ers. Kaepernick’s representatives have asked for permission to seek out offers from other teams, although the 49ers are prepared to keep him on the roster for next season. A deal from Denver would have to be made by April 1, as that is when Kaepernick’s $12 million salary would be contractualized for the 2016 season. The Broncos came close to drafting Kaepernick in 2011, but did not follow through. That being said, Kaepernick has been on the team’s radar for several years. Some speculate on whether or not the Broncos will neglect to draft him for a second time, but it is hard to deny that Kaepernick would be a valuable asset.

Robert Griffin III was a viable choice for the Broncos; however he was recently drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Griffin was previously released by the Washington Redskins, and had been operating as a free agent. The 49ers have expressed interest in Griffin, potentially to fill Kaepernick’s place on the roster should he be drafted elsewhere. With a fantastic rookie performance and on track to be paid $16.1 million for the 2016 season, any team would be hard-pressed to leave RGIII out of their considerations. It might be for the best that the Broncos did not ultimately draft RGIII, especially considering his track record on injuries. He did not play a single game in the 2015 season so that he could recover from his injuries and maintain his value as a player. The Broncos made a smart choice by neglecting to draft someone who is not guaranteed to be healthy, and therefore a stable component in their offensive line.

The Broncos have recently drafted Mark Sanchez, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. Sanchez was becoming increasingly expendable on the Eagle’s roster, following the signing of Sam Bradford as starting quarterback and Chase Daniel as back-up. It seems as though the Broncos signed Sanchez as a precaution, as it is highly unlikely that he will be able to fill the void left by Manning. At this point, Sanchez will possibly fill Osweiler’s backup position. The Broncos are undoubtedly getting nervous. Next season is approaching sooner rather than later, and new trades are happening every day. The reigning Super Bowl champions need to make a good decision in order to be competitive, and they need to do so fast. The pressure is on.