According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Peyton Manning “exhibited the signs of a player who was not ready to become a former player” after he received the Bart Starr Award on Friday.
Klis mentions that Manning met with new Broncos HC Gary Kubiak this week and has a meeting scheduled with president/GM John Elway as well.
Manning said that he expects to have a decision regarding whether or not he’ll be back next year at some point in the near future.
“I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing,” Manning said. “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.”
One other issue that has been brought up in recent months is the fact that Manning will need to pass a physical, but Manning doesn’t this as a big issue either.
“I don’t see that physical being that significant to tell you the truth as far as that revelation,” Manning said. “I feel pretty confident that I would pass that physical and my neck is in good shape.”
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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