Peyton Manning will share the same sunset ride into retirement his boss for the last four years enjoyed, leaving the NFL a Super Bowl Champion, according to a report by Woody Paige of the Denver Post. Manning, Paige writes, will announce his retirement with the next week, well before the March 9 deadline for John Elway to cut or retain the certain first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback.
Peyton Manning will retire and ride off into the sunset. Latest column: https://t.co/9GM4p8rUSd pic.twitter.com/eJe2i8e7ZI
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) February 28, 2016
However, the Denver Broncos have not been informed of Manning’s decision, a source with the team told Pro Football Talk.
Patrick Smyth, Broncos vice president of public relations issued the following, saying Manning has not yet made a decision and that the team expects talks between the two sides to continue through the week.
Peyton has not made a decision on his future. Plan remains for him to continue talks with the team this week. https://t.co/2YcjDCCQSg
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) February 28, 2016
Both could be true, technically.
This isn’t the first report from the Post suggesting (key word being suggesting, as in an opinion) that Manning’s retirement should come next week. Troy Renck wrote on Friday that a midweek retirement would be the best situation for both the quarterback and the team.
Signs pointing toward midweek decision for #Broncos Peyton Manning: https://t.co/igjD1Al3bd via @TroyRenck pic.twitter.com/7ked1x0IWy
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) February 26, 2016
Mike Klis of KUSA, formerly of the Post, reported that a source close to Manning confirms Smyth’s response about meetings upcoming.
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/703770311867498496
This season has seen more than its share of reports come out about Manning’s future that have been hotly contested. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported in November that Manning wanted to return for another year, even if it wasn’t in Denver. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report soon after had to defend himself about a report contesting Manning’s status as a starter. And the ongoing investigation that is in place relating to HGH allegations levied against Manning could complicate things – allegations Manning has assured are completely unfounded.
All of that drama will certainly be shelved if Paige’s report is indeed accurate and next week the Broncos and the NFL bid farewell to one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game and the only one to ever start and win a Super Bowl for two different franchises.