Peyton Manning is reportedly training for a possible return in the 2015 NFL season, but the Denver Broncos are reportedly unsure if they want their quarterback to play for another year.
Manning is reportedly leaning towards playing in his 17th season in the league this year. But according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the decision on whether or not Manning will be playing for another season is not on the veteran quarterback's hands, saying that it is up to the Broncos.
The 38-year-old quarterback pointed out that Manning is set undergo physical examinations on his neck after undergoing four surgeries before. Cole said that Manning's physical will be a huge factor because the QB's $19 million salary for 2015 will not be guaranteed if he fails the examination.
Manning, who completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,727 yards last season with 39 touchdowns, will have his contract fully guaranteed if he is still on the roster on March 9. Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison also told ESPN on Tuesday, that they are not in a rush to get a decision from their starting quarterback.
"I don't think so, we're going to go see what we do best, see what our team ends up with, there's certainly no rush," Dennison said. "He deserves to take his time and figure out what he wants to do because he's a phenomenal player."
Jeff Duncan of New Orleans Times-Picayune reported on Monday that Manning has already started training as he is determined to make another run for a championship next season.
Sources also indicated that the star quarterback was evaluated and will train under fitness trainer Mackie Shilstone, who is best known for helping sporting greats like Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins and Serena Williams extend their respective careers.
The reports about the Broncos' unwillingness to have Manning back next season is a complete opposite of what general manager John Elway said last month. Despite making changes on their coaching staff, which led to the firing of John Fox, Elway insisted that Manning is still a part of the team's future.
"The career that he's had and what he's done, not only for the NFL, but in the short time he's been here with the Denver Broncos, what he's meant to us is tremendous," Elway told NFL.com. "We'll continue to monitor that, but the bottom line is we want him back, and it's going to come down to what Peyton wants to do."
