ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that Peyton Manning will announce his retirement in Denver on Monday.
Filed to ESPN: Five-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning will announce his retirement Monday in Denver per source familiar with the QB's decision
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 6, 2016
The team has confirmed Mortensen’s report, with this post.
Thank you, Peyton, and congratulations on your magnificent 18-year NFL career! https://t.co/YdMt19tQ2i pic.twitter.com/jYDXpMmlUA
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 6, 2016
A report from Woody Paige of the Denver Post circulating that Manning’s retirement was coming last week proved to be incorrect, now apparently only in its timing.
At the time of the Post report, Broncos PR said talks were ongoing with Manning – perhaps a safeguard, as his heir has not been officially named. Brock Osweiler, who served as backup for the past four years and guided the team to a 5-2 record while Manning was out with injury, has reportedly been offered a contract worth more than $45 million over three years, but nothing has been signed.
General manager John Elway and head coach Gary Kubiak offered statements in a report from the team website.
Elway:
“When you look at everything Peyton has accomplished as a player and person, it’s easy to see how fortunate we’ve been to have him on our team. Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more—not only for the football team but in the community. I’m very thankful Peyton chose to play for the Denver Broncos, and I congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career.”
Kubiak:
“It was a blessing to coach Peyton Manning. Nobody worked harder at the game and nobody prepared harder than Peyton. His preparation was the best I’ve ever seen with how he went about his business. There was nothing like his work habits. Each and every week, he did everything he could to get ready to play not only against the defense but even against the coordinator. Being with him this season, going through what we went through and accomplishing what we accomplished—that was special. He and I battled together and along the way we talked about dreaming that it could end the way it ended. And I’ll be damned, it did.”
The team will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. MT to announce the retirement.
Broncos will hold a news conference on Monday at 11 am MT to celebrate the extraordinary career of the NFL's only 5x MVP, Peyton Manning.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) March 6, 2016