AP

Earlier this month, the word out of Denver was that the Broncos were holding off on contract talks with quarterback Brock Osweiler “out of respect” to Peyton Manning while Manning waited to make his intentions for the 2016 season known.

Manning hasn’t made his plans about returning for another season public at this point, but it appears the wait for talks with Osweiler is coming to an end. Teams often meet with representatives for their impending free agents during the Scouting Combine and Mike Klis of KUSA in Denver reports that is just what the Broncos will do with Osweiler.

The Broncos need to know what Manning is doing before March 9 so that they can decide if they want him back at any price, but they can’t wait that long to make inroads with Osweiler on a new deal if, as expected, they want him to remain with the team. The “legal tampering” window that opens ahead of the start of the new league year would give other teams a chance to talk openly with Osweiler and the Broncos can’t let their exclusive opportunity to negotiate with Osweiler lapse without at least a clear idea of the quarterback’s plans.

Klis adds that talks continue with defensive end Malik Jackson and that there’s little discussion with linebacker Von Miller, who is expected to receive the franchise tag.