Peyton Manning's future has recently been questioned more than the legitimacy of Donald Trump's run at the Presidency. From beginning the season with seven straight wins, to a disastrous Week 10 game against the Chiefs (Manning threw just five completions and four interceptions) which landed him on the DL and eventually as Brock Osweiler's backup, to a triumphant return to lead the Broncos to Super Bowl 50, his season has seen more ups and downs than a see-saw.
Despite a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk in November that Peyton Manning was "absolutely determined" to get healthy and continue playing into 2016, even if it's not for the Broncos, Peyton himself may have shown his cards on his decision, and he did so to an unlikely source.
Following Denver's 20-18 win over the New England Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship game, NFL Network cameras caught Manning and Patriots' coach Bill Belichick in an embrace where the quarterback stated it might be the final time the two met on the field as competitors, according to a report from Kevin Patra of NFL.com.
Manning told Belichick, per Patra, "Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure." The Patriots' coach responded by saying, "You are a great competitor."
Manning has a chance to do what only a select few in NFL history have done - win the Super Bowl and walk away. Recent Hall of Famers Michael Strahan and Jerome Bettis did it, as did Manning's current boss, Executive VP and GM of the Broncos John Elway, as noted by Gary Meyers of the New York Daily News.
With a win, Manning will become the 12th quarterback in NFL history with multiple Super Bowl rings. By simply reaching the game, he's already become the first QB in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with four different head coaches (Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Gary Kubiak), according to Joe Belock of the New York Daily News. Additionally, he's the first QB to lead multiple teams to multiple Super Bowls (Colts and Broncos).
Peyton is arguably the best regular season quarterback in the history of the sport - he's first all-time in passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539), according to Pro-Football Reference. He's a 14-time Pro Bowler, a five-time MVP, and a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer. Yet he still has something to strive for to pad his legendary career - ring number two.
So if what Manning told Bill Belichick is true, then we should all take the opportunity next Sunday to marvel at the wonder that is Peyton Manning one final time, on the sport's grandest stage. Arm weary, body aged, armor dented, he's a living legend that gets one more shot at the ultimate prize, and when the confetti flies in Santa Clara on Feb. 7th, win or lose, we'll all watch together as this Bronco gallops off into the sunset.
