Report: Peyton Manning will decide on retirement next week

Peyton Manning will decide on retirement by the end of next week, The Denver Post’s Woody Paige reports.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will decide on retirement by the end of next week, The Denver Post’s Woody Paige reports. “In all probability,” according to Paige, that decision will be to walk away from football after 18 seasons.

Manning is in the final year of his contract, and will be owed $19 million if he returns next year. His salary kicks in on March 9, so a decision on his retirement would likely happen by then.

Broncos vice president of public relations tweeted that Manning had not made up his mind yet on Saturday evening.

Peyton has not made a decision on his future. Plan remains for him to continue talks with the team this week. https://t.co/2YcjDCCQSg

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) February 28, 2016

As recently as Thursday, team president John Elway told ESPN that Manning had not made a decision on retirement.

• MMQB: Elway, Broncos ready for life after Manning

“I met with Peyton a couple nights ago and we had a good talk, and as I said after the game (Super Bowl 50), we’re going to give him as much time as he needs, and he still needs some more time,” he said.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Manning would retire as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and passing yards. 

– Kenny Ducey