"From one quarterback to another, San Diego's Philip Rivers can understand what this season has been like, at least somewhat, for Broncos rookie Tim Tebow.

Like Tebow, Rivers was a first- round draft pick.

Like Tebow, Rivers spent his rookie year on the bench behind an established starter.

Rivers sat behind Drew Brees for two years before finally becoming the Chargers' starting quarterback. Now he's among the NFL's elite players at his position.

"During the moment, when I was in the midst of the first and second year, it was tough. The competitor in you wants to go play and feels you can go play," Rivers said. "But looking back, I certainly appreciate those years and I benefited a great deal."

Rivers said he reached his limit as a bystander after two seasons, which coincided with the time Brees and the Chargers parted ways. It could very likely be two seasons on the Denver bench for Tebow, given how well Kyle Orton is playing this year and the fact that Orton is under contract through next season.

"We tried to improve the team, in terms of the competition at every spot we could, understanding that at quarterback, if you have a player who is very capable of doing good things, whoever is behind him may have to sit for a little while," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said.

Ayers improving.

Robert Ayers is talking again, which should be good news for Broncos fans eagerly awaiting the outside linebacker's return.

Ayers declined interviews earlier in the week, saying he wanted to wait until he was ready to play.

"I'm looking forward to it. I've been watching the last five (weeks), so I'm real excited about it," Ayers said.

Ayers has been limited in practice all week, his first week back after breaking a bone in his foot Oct. 10. McDaniels said it is still too early to know exactly how much Ayers will be able to play Monday night against the Chargers. Ayers was playing every down, as a run defender and a pass rusher, before he was hurt."