Rest easy, Denver Broncos fans - your aging, injured star signal-caller is planning at least one more NFL go-round.
Quarterback Peyton Manning, pending the results of an as-of-yet unscheduled physical, will return to the team for next season, meaning Broncos faithful across the pueblo and high into the mountains can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Brock Osweiler will spend another season riding the pine.
"According to three trustworthy sources, Manning wants to return to the Broncos, but won't and can't make a final decision until he takes an annual physical examination mandated by his contract," reports the Denver Post.
Manning has been asked by the team and GM John Elway - who has said that he would like the future Hall of Famer to return to the fold - to let the organization know his plans by March 9 - the day before teams must exercise their rights on players under contract.
"Those close to Manning - and who spoke for background on the condition of anonymity - claim that he still is relaxing with his family but would like to continue playing; he must await tests results on his repaired neck - and, obviously, the calf injury that prevented him from playing in the Pro Bowl; and there are several upside reasons for at least one more comeback in his career."
Manning desperately desires adding one more Super Bowl to his already-lengthy resume. With the Broncos firing head coach John Fox after the season, it was easy to wonder if Manning would get that chance in Denver.
"I want to be the best support system I can be for Peyton. ... We've had some very good conversations, and we'll have many more," said new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak at his introductory press conference Tuesday.
There has been some concern that Manning's skill set does not align with the offensive style Kubiak has employed in the past, but Kubiak did his best to assuage those fears, saying he looked forward to discovering the scheme-style that best fit Peyton.
"Well, it's easy to build a playbook for him. I mean, he's been the master at it for many, many years, and you're talking about a Hall of Fame player, a Hall of Fame person."
The 39-year-old Manning is scheduled to make $19 million next season. He said late in the regular season that he planned to return for 2015, but after the unexpected playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts seemed less certain about his NFL future.
