Whatever happens, Peyton Manning isn't going to turn his possible retirement story into something that drags out for a long time.
For one, it can't. In early March his 2015 salary of $19 million becomes guaranteed. The Broncos need an answer before then.
Manning said he will let them know soon. But he doesn't know now. He was honored as the Bart Starr Award recipient and New York Newsday's Bob Glauber tweeted his comments.
"I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing," Manning said. "I’d like to make a decision soon."
There are some moving parts and Manning addressed many of them, via Glauber. He said he thinks he'll pass his annual physical in March. That's always a bit of a question because of his history with neck surgeries.
He hasn't met yet with new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak because of NFL rules. He made it sound like he still wants to play ("I don’t think it ever leaves anybody’s heart," Manning said), but he's still evaluating. His decision on whether to come back for another season at age 39 won't be based on the Broncos' tough playoff loss to the Colts, in which Manning struggled.
"If I were to stop, that last game wouldn't be a factor," Manning said, via Glauber.
Most indications are that Manning will return for another season, although that's clearly no guarantee. The Broncos have promised to not pressure him either way, although they clearly are anxious to know.
"I am giving him his space right now," Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas said on Friday. "He’s been doing this for a long time. I’d rather let him contact us — or me — and I’ll reach out to him after the month of February once football is over with and he’s had enough time to get away and let his mind relax a bit. I don’t want to go at him like, ‘Are you going to come back?’ He’ll let us know if he will or he won’t."
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