Written by Austin Knoblauch at NFL.com
It appears Peyton Manning is inching closer toward deciding whether he will play in 2016.
According to Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, Manning “will acknowledge his decision” to retire by the end of next week. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Feb. 1 that Manning told close friends that he expected to retire during the offseason. In addition, Manning has not told anyone in the Broncos’ organization about whether or not he plans to retire, team and league sources told Rapoport on Saturday.
Peyton has not made a decision on his future,” Patrick Smyth, Broncos vice president of public relations, tweeted Saturday. “Plan remains for him to continue talks with the team this week.”
Archie Manning told NFL Media’s Rhett Lewis on Saturday that his son “hasn’t told me a thing” about retiring next week.
If Manning plans to play next season, he must undergo a team physical by Friday, Rapoport added.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, Broncos general manager John Elway said he’s not pushing Manning to make a decision on retirement.
“I met with Peyton a couple nights ago and we had a good talk,” Elway said. “As I said after the game, we’ll give him as much time as he needs. He still needs some more time so we’re going to afford him that time. He deserves it after 18 years in this league.”
Elway reiterated several times that he’s not pressuring Manning one way or the other and will meet with the quarterback again before the new league year begins March 9.
The Broncos executive shot down suggestions that he needs Manning’s decision sooner rather than later so he can move forward on contract negotiations with impending free-agent quarterback Brock Osweiler.
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