Denver Broncos Clear Peyton Manning For Another Year
The Denver Broncos are still trying to rebound from a Super Bowl embarrassment. Having their record setting quarterback returning for next season could certainly help the healing. While Peyton Manning hasn’t announced he will indeed be back a major hurdle to his return has been cleared. The team announced on Monday that their star quarterback has passed his annual neck physical.
NFL.com is reporting that the annual physical is part of the superstar’s five year contract. The fact that Manning has passed the physical means the Broncos now know they have their quarterback in place for the 2014 season, assuming the veteran still has some gasoline left in his tank.
The physical on Monday appears to be little more than a formality, considering the QB announced in the week leading up to the Super Bowl that his neck has felt better than ever. The formality of the physical is hardly a formality when it comes to Peyton’s bank account. Passing the neck physical means his $20 million for the 2014 season is now guaranteed money.
With the quarterback likely coming back, the Denver Broncos can turn their full attention to one of its star wide receivers. Eric Decker is marching towards free agency after posting the best season of his young career in 2013.
There are plenty of Denver fans who are wondering why the team is dickering with Decker’s impending freedom and not giving him a franchise tag in order to keep him under team control. The Mile High Report points out that even if the team doesn’t believe he can stay with the team this season, the franchise should be giving him the tag so they can trade him and get something for him.
The wide receiver has done extremely well with Peyton Maning under center, catching 85 passes and 13 touchdowns in 2012. Last year he caught another 87 passes and 11 touchdowns. He also amassed a career high 1,288 yards.
For his part, Manning broke a number of NFL records last season while throwing for more than 5,400 yards and 55 touchdown passes. The combination of the two was a large reason why the team was the best offensive squad in the NFL. It was that offense that carried the team to the Super Bowl where one of the best defenses in the league was finally able to slow the duo down.
The Seattle Seahawks manhandled the team in a way that no one had seen in 2013. Now the Denver Broncos have to pick up the pieces and bringing their record setting passer back is a good first step.
