Peyton Manning tells Bill Belichick: ‘This may be my last rodeo’
Is Manning planning to retire?
Peyton Manning seems to be seriously mulling retirement.
Is he about to pull a John Elway?
The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke with Bill Belichick following the Denver Broncos’ 20-18 victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. And NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access’’ aired audio of Manning’s comments to Belichick.
“Hey listen, this may be my last rodeo, so it’s been a pleasure,’’ Manning told Belichick.
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When the Patriots coach was asked Sunday if he would share what Manning said to him after the game, Belichick said, “no.’’
Manning, 39, had been planning to play in the 2016 season, a source told ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio in November. However at the time, Manning was a backup to Brock Osweiler, and dealing with a plantar fascia injury. Perhaps in taking over the reigns and leading his team to Super Bowl 50, he has reconsidered his future in the league.
Manning, the first-overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, will look to win his second Super Bowl ring in four appearances. With the Colts and Broncos, Manning has thrown for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns. He also set the NFL records for most touchdown passes (55) and passing yards (5,477) in a season. The veteran signal-caller’s health, however, has hindered him in recent years, as he missed six games during the 2015 season and reportedly played with a torn quad during the 2014 playoffs.
For Manning, a Super Bowl victory would be the storybook ending to an already illustrious career.
h/t — NESN, Mile High Huddle
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