Is Peyton Manning Retiring? See What The Denver Broncos Quarterback Has To Say About His Career Ending
Is Peyton Manning retiring?
It was the most prevalent question in the lead-up to Super Bowl 50, with the 39-year-old Denver Broncos’ quarterback giving strong indications that this year will be his last. Manning has faced a slew of injuries this year and missed a long stretch, leading many to believe that he is ready to retire after one last run.
In the days before Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning never directly answered the question of whether he was retiring, but he may have given strong indications. When the Broncos defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, Manning shared a moment at midfield with coach Bill Belichick and implied that he was ready to hang up his cleats.
Tom E. Curran of CSNNE relayed Manning’s account of what happened.
“That was not pre-planned. It was a spontaneous reaction. Sometimes you want to tell somebody something man-to man, it’s better than telling them via text or even a handwritten letter, or seeing them at a banquet and saying, ‘Boy, it sure was great playing against you.’ I told (Tom) Brady the same thing previous to telling Belichick. I understand there’s people (nearby) but what I said was true. This could be it. I’m aware this could be it and I wanted to tell both of them I really have enjoyed these games. It’s been part of my football life and both of those guys have been part of good for me and not so good for me and so I took the time to tell them.”
The Broncos have been rumored to be preparing for Peyton Manning’s retirement for more than a year. Last offseason, Manning took several weeks before he made his return to the team. In that time, the Broncos were reportedly ready to move forward with Osweiler as the starter, and his play this year during Manning’s injury has shown that the team is ready for life after Peyton Manning.
Of course, nothing is official until Manning announces it publicly, and he has been careful in dancing around the subject in many interviews. The decision may already be made, however.
There are other sources close to Peyton Manning claiming that he is indeed going to retire after the Super Bowl.
“But now Ian Rapoport is reporting that Manning has told friends that this indeed will be it for the 39-year-old, sure-fire future Hall of Fame quarterback,” Shutdown Corner reported earlier this week. “As he and the Denver Broncos prepare to face the Carolina Panthers, speculation over Manning’s career decision has — and will — run rampant.”
There are other signs that Peyton Manning is going to retire after Super Bowl 50. Pro Football Talk reported that Manning became very emotional in Saturday night’s team meeting, leading teammates to believe that he is retiring.
Peyton Manning ‘Near Tears’ in Pre- #SuperBowl50 Team Meeting (Video) https://t.co/iv7QP7GVqS pic.twitter.com/bumHnxtA0N
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) February 7, 2016
“Peyton told a few jokes to lighten the mood, but then he got very emotional,” team president Joe Ellis told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “And so did DeMarcus [Ware]. The room was silent. It was a very emotional gathering.”
If the Denver Broncos were to win, it would be all the more likely that Manning goes out on top. But would have some other options if he chose otherwise. There have been rumors this week that the Los Angeles Rams were interested in giving Manning a contract, and there would likely be a handful of other teams interested in his services on a one-year basis.
So is Peyton Manning going to retire after the Super Bowl? It sounds as if his mind is made up, but it won’t be official until Manning announces it himself.
[Picture by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images]
