Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway didn't mince words when asked at the NFL scouting combine if the team wanted quarterback Peyton Manning to return for one more go-round with the organization.
"Peyton Manning is the best player for us. And that's why we're hopeful he comes back," Elway said, per Around The NFL.
There was some question after the season and in light of the team's unceremonious ousting from the playoffs via a lackluster loss to Manning's former team, the Indianapolis Colts, in which the veteran QB looked hobbled and surprisingly ineffective, whether Manning wished to return for another NFL campaign due to his increasingly fragile body and whether the organization, in fact, wanted him back.
There was also question whether Manning's contract - his projected cap hit for next season is a whopping $21.5 million - would be a sticking point between the two sides.
Not so, according to Elway.
"Just know that I believe he'll be back, that he'll be our quarterback next year," the Broncos GM said when asked about Manning's contract status, per Lindsay Jones of USA Today.
As for the change from John Fox to Gary Kubiak at head coach, Elway said that he believes Manning will have no problem fitting in with an offensive change.
"Peyton can fit in this offense very easily," said Elway, per Around The NFL." ... For an older quarterback, it's the perfect system to be in."
He also stated his belief that for an aging player like Manning, it's about offensive balance more than anything - the Broncos struggled to find a consistent running game last season due to poor offensive line play and continual injuries to the running back position.
It sounds like there's really no question Elway and the team wants him back. It's simply a matter of Manning deciding that he's ready to endure another grueling year at quarterback.
