Peyton Manning Has Reportedly Told Close Friends That He Expects To Retire

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Broncos QB Peyton Manning 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.

The Broncos are one game away from another Super Bowl championship, which would allow Manning to end his Hall of Fame on top, if they’re able to beat an impressive Panthers team.

There has been a great 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.