Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was reportedly expected to make a choice about retirement this week, but the future Hall of Famer has not come to a decision at this time. The 39-year-old quarterback spoke to a Florida Forum on leadership on Wednesday night, but revealed nothing about his future plans.
"Many of you have probably heard that I have a significant announcement to make, so I thought I'd go ahead and make it with all of you here tonight," said Manning. "Papa John's is offering 50 percent off tonight through Friday."
While the two-time Super Bowl Champion joked about his impending retirement decision, many believe that Manning doesn't sound like a man ready to retire. "It's hard to say," he said. "I think the one reason I've enjoyed my current job so much is I've been all in on it. I have not thought much about anything else beside the job that I was currently employed to do."
The Broncos quarterback is one of the greatest to ever play the game and holds a plethora of NFL records, including career touchdown passes (539), most passing yards (71,940), and single season records with most touchdowns (55), and passing yards (5,477). Manning also became the winningest quarterback in NFL history with his Super Bowl 50 win, but it's clearly a difficult decision for him to step away from the game he loves and that has been a large part of his life.
The Broncos have already placed the exclusive franchise tag on Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller, but are still looking to retain quarterback Brock Osweiler and defensive lineman Malik Jackson. The Denver front office has reportedly been planning its free agency moves this offseason on the basis that Manning would retire, and the Broncos quarterback will have to make a decision by Tuesday, as his $19 million base salary for the 2016 season becomes guaranteed the next day.
There is speculation that Manning could create interest with other teams in the league such as the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams, as he is likely considered an upgrade compared to the quarterbacks in place with either franchise. The only issue with that is that both of those franchises are trying to build towards the future, and a starting quarterback that turns 40 this offseason may not be what either franchise is looking for at this time.
The feeling on Wednesday night was that Manning was not ready to hang it up after this past season, but only time will tell if the Broncos quarterback will walk out on top as a Super Bowl champion.
