Peyton Manning’s next move unclear with Broncos career likely over
About the only thing that seems clear with Peyton Manning right now is that he won’t be back with the Denver Broncos.
That’s not too surprising. For all the talk of the March 9 deadline, when Manning’s $19 million 2016 base salary will become guaranteed, nobody expected the Broncos would be picking that up even if Manning chose to return. That’s nothing you announce when it comes to a five-time MVP who just started in a Super Bowl win for you, but of all the scenarios this offseason, one of the more unrealistic was Manning starting for the Broncos in 2016.
It would have been been a little more seamless for everyone if Manning retired before March 9, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen.
“There’s a time when the contract becomes guaranteed, so they’ll just have to make a move before then,” Tom Condon, Manning’s agent, said on The Mighty 1090 in San Diego (via Pro Football Talk).
As part of Manning’s contract, the Broncos could have asked him to take a physical five days before the league year starts, which was Friday, to examine his neck. The team never even asked him to do so, the Denver Post said. And the Post reported that the Broncos have made a contract offer to quarterback Brock Osweiler that could be north of $12 million per year. So we pretty much know where this is headed. Barring an incredible turn of events, at some point before Wednesday, either Manning will suddenly announce his retirement (which seems unlikely) or the Broncos will cut him.
And then? Who knows.
Manning has made a couple speaking engagements this week and he has been vague about his future. It’s obvious that he loves the game and he has to be sure he doesn’t want to play again before he steps away. Other quarterbacks have taken a long time to decide. And while the Broncos had a deadline, Manning doesn’t. Sure it’s a little messy for the Broncos to have to cut him after Manning’s unbelievable four-year run in Denver, but nobody will remember that if Manning decides to retire in April or May. He’ll have the same grand sendoff from the Broncos that he would have last month.
But if the Broncos do cut him, Manning can at least see what his options are. Maybe the Los Angeles Rams want to make a big splash heading into their new city. Perhaps the Houston Texans think Manning can carry them over the hump. Manning is 40 and coming off a really bad season. But it’s easy to see teams looking at their quarterback options and talking themselves into the NFL’s all-time passing leader for one season.
If Manning knew after being a part of a win in Super Bowl 50 that he was definitely going to retire, he probably would have done so by now. Obviously he is considering playing at least another year. He’ll probably have an opportunity to play, as well. We can make the tired arguments about his legacy and tell a grown man he’s making a mistake by continuing to play a game he loves for millions of dollars, but it can’t be an easy decision. Dragging the retirement decision out and forcing the Broncos into their own decision at least gives Manning a chance to see what options he might have before his ultimate decision. Maybe he retires anyway, but at least he’ll know all his options before he does.
So we wait for the next move by the Broncos. Presumably, one of the game’s all-time legends will have his name come across the transaction wire in the next few days.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
