Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly will retire after the 2014 Super Bowl regardless of winning or losing. Several people in the NFL believe Manning isn't announcing his retirement in order to keep the focus of Super Bowl XLVIII on Denver and the Seattle Seahawks, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.
Rumors of Manning retiring after the season continue to grow. While the Denver Post believes Manning will play another season, some people in the league think Manning is finished after the Super Bowl - regardless of the outcome.
"I don't believe (Manning is returning next season) for a second, and I can tell you few people around the NFL believe (he is returning)," Freeman wrote on Wednesday. "Almost everyone thinks Manning is gone if he wins and plays well in the victory. In fact, many believe Manning is gone, win or lose.
"The belief around football is that Manning is saying he hasn't made up his mind because he doesn't want to be the story of the Super Bowl week. Imagine the pressure on the Broncos if Manning came out and said, 'Yeah, I'm gone after this, dude. See ya.' It would be one of the biggest stories in Super Bowl history. Manning is a lot smarter than that."
Manning would be 38 years old next season, and after two major neck surgeries, the risk of serious injury remains a major concern. He's scheduled to undergo a team-mandated medical exam on his neck sometime in March.
The result of the exam could determine whether Manning comes back for another year, according to ESPN.
Although the future Hall of Famer acknowledged he still enjoys playing football, he didn't rule out the possibility of retiring after the Super Bowl.
"I certainly had a career change two years ago with my injury, with my changing teams so I truly have been a one-year-at-a-time basis, so I really have no plans beyond this game," Manning told reporters on Sunday, via ESPN. "I had no plans coming into this season beyond this year, I think that's kind (of) a healthy way to approach your career at this stage."
