John Elway: Peyton Manning Has “Whatever Time He Needs” To Decide About Retirement

Broncos President John Elway was asked how much time they’ll be willing to give QB Peyton Manning to decide if he’ll return for the 2016 season.

“He’s got plenty of time,” Elway said, per Tom Pelissero. “Whatever time he needs.”

Manning was asked about possibly retiring to which he replied: “I haven’t made my mind up. I am staying in the moment and the task at hand,” per Troy Renck.

Earlier in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Manning has told close friends that he expects Super Bowl 50 to be his final game.

“The reality is he let the cat out of the bag a little bit,” Rapoport said Monday. “I also know he has told close friends that he expects this to be his last game as well.“

This comes just a week after cameras caught Manning telling Patriots HC Bill Belichick after the AFC Championship Game that “this might be my last rodeo.”

“Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo,” Manning told Belichick, via Pro Football Talk. “So, it sure has been a pleasure.”

All indications have been that this is likely it for Manning, but it appears though the Broncos will give him the necessary time to make that decision.

There has been a good of speculation about Manning’s future after this season, which reportedly includes the possibility of taking a front office role with a team or possibly joining an ownership group.

Manning, 39, is in the fourth year of his five-year, $96 million contract that includes $18 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $15 million this season to go along with another $19 million in 2016.

In 2015, Manning appeared in 10 games and thrown for 2,249 yards while completing 59.8 percent of his passes to go along with nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 29 quarterback out of 37 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Manning’s future as the news is available.