Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning wants to return, but he’s likely to take his time making a decision. According to Woody Paige of the Denver Post, Manning is expected to make a decision after his neck exam.
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. Last year, the test results were learned at the beginning of March. The Broncos have requested that Manning let them know his plans by March 9 — the day before teams must exercise their rights on veteran players under contract. Manning, who turns 39 on March 24, is due $19 million next season.
John Elway has said publicly he hopes that Peyton returns, and new coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday he already has communicated with Manning twice, and “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.”
Trent Dilfer, ESPN analyst and former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, said that Kubiak and Manning will mesh well because the coach has a “quarterback-friendly, not quarterback-dependent” style. I expect a balanced run-heavy offese that takes pressure and throws off of Manning.