Peyton Manning Meets with Broncos John Elway, No Word on his Future
Peyton Manning could be very close to making a decision between playing and retiring.
The veteran quarterback met with the executive vice president of football operations and general manager for the Denver Broncos, John Elway and CEO Joe Ellis on Thursday to discuss his future with the team.
According to team sources, Ellis flew to New Orleans Thursday morning to pick up Manning. The pair discussed Manning's plans for 2015 on the flight. Manning then met with Elway at the Dove Valley facility. After the meeting, there were no announcements made regarding whether or not Manning will play next year.
"I think we should all still let him take his time to make up his mind. He's going to be 39 next month and there's more to just coming back and playing football. There's practicing, there's studying, there's grinding through the season and he's seeing if he still wants to do all that," running back C.J. Anderson said reported by CBS Detroit.
"But the fact that he met with Mr. Elway shows he's interested in coming back. At the end of the day, it's a step in the right direction."
Over the next couple of weeks, Manning will have a check-up on his surgically repaired neck. His health could greatly determine his status for the following season. However, Manning is not too worried about his physical.
"Don't see it being that significant, I feel pretty confident I would pass that physical, that my neck is in good shape," Manning said. "I'd like to avoid a crowd standing outside the MRI room, if possible. I've felt secure about that the past three years and feel the same about that."
Elway and new Denver coach Gary Kubiak have stated that they want Manning back for another season with the Broncos. Prior to the end of the season, Manning also expressed his desire to return to Denver.
If Manning is listed on the roster on March 9, the day before the new league year officially starts, his $19 million salary will become guaranteed.
Manning averaged 43.7 touchdown passes, 4,954 yards, 12.7 wins and a 107.8 passer rating in his three years with the Broncos.
