ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Broncos QB Peyton Manning isn’t expected to keep the team waiting long in regards to him being back next season.
Sources tell Mortensen that Manning could decide as early as the coming week that he will be back for his 18th NFL season.
According to Mortensen, “Manning has been fairly persuaded that all will work well between him and new head coach Gary Kubiak, who is ready and willing to fit his scheme to play to the quarterback’s strengths but it still will be Kubiak’s system.”
Manning met with Kubiak this past week “to get to know each other.”
“I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing,” Manning said, via Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “I’d like to make a decision soon. At the same time, both coach and Joe and John have instructed me to take some time, so I’m kind of following their orders.”
Manning also downplayed the idea that Kubiak’s system could play a big role in this decision to return next year.
“I know that’s been a hot topic of discussion,” Manning said. “We didn’t get into that. If I choose to come back, I feel pretty comfortable — aside from Tubby Raymond’s Delaware Blue Hens wing T offense — I feel pretty comfortable playing in any offense. I don’t see that being a factor.”
A number of people around the league have said that they expect him to return for the 2014 season, even with all of the changes happening in Denver.
Manning, 38, has another two years remaining on his five-year, $96 million contract, which includes base salaries of $19 million for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. If he’s still on the team’s roster as of the final day of the 2014 league year, his base salary becomes fully guaranteed..
Manning’s 2014 season ended with him throwing for 4,727 yards while completing 66.2 percent of his passes to go along with 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 10 quarterback out of 39 qualifying players.
We’ll have more updates regarding the Broncos and Manning as the news is available.
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