Brace yourselves: Peyton Manning’s playing career actually might not be over.
Many figured the Denver Broncos quarterback would ride off into the sunset after winning Super Bowl 50, but it sounds like he might have changed his mind.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter appeared Tuesday on ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike In The Morning” and explained Manning is open to playing at least one more season. The question, however, is whether Manning can find a new job.
“He’d like to keep playing,” Schefter said, according to a transcript on CBSSports.com. “In a perfect world, he’d like to keep playing. The question is, who’s going to give him an opportunity? And it’s tough to identify that team right now that’s willing to sign him to the deal that makes it worthwhile for him, that allows him to continue playing.”
Manning does have one year left on his Broncos contract, but as Schefter also said, “I think everybody at this point accepts and understands that he’s not going to be back in Denver.” If Manning decided to return, the Broncos would be on the hook for the $19 million he’s owed in 2016. Given Manning’s age and diminished skills, as well as backup QB Brock Osweiler’s free agency, it doesn’t seem like Denver would keep the veteran QB.
So where would Manning land if he returns for another season? That’s where the uncertainty comes in for No. 18. Schefter said Manning would have no shortage of TV or front-office jobs, but the same can’t be said for open quarterback positions.
“There are multiple teams that have already expressed interest in him in working in a front-office capacity and position,” Schefter said, per CBSSports.com. “Eventually, I think he winds up doing that. But it’s not before he exhausts all options, and I think he’d like to continue playing if given the choice. But right now, it’s tough to see that choice identifying itself and stepping forward and having something out there that would be an obvious match for both sides.”
Two teams that seem to make sense for Manning are the Los Angeles Rams (who reportedly had interest in him) and the Houston Texans. However, Schefter also said neither of those teams look to be a fit.
So we sit and wait.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
