At 39, Peyton Manning ready to do it again with Denver Broncos
Quarterback returns for his 18th season in the NFL and fourth with the Denver-based team
Hold that gold watch. Peyton Manning is taking one more shot at the silver trophy.
Weeks of speculation about the five-time MVP's future ended with word that he is returning for an 18th season in the NFL and fourth in Denver.
A person with inside knowledge said Manning would take a US$4 million pay cut, from US$19 million to US$15 million, but that he could make it all back through performance incentives. Manning, who is still scheduled to make US$19 million next year in the final season of a five-year contract he signed in 2012, will take his physical and sign his revised contract this morning (Hong Kong time).
Manning mulled over retirement after the Broncos' play-off loss to the Indianapolis Colts. But he determined he still had the health and hunger to keep playing at 39, when he tries to become the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
We're just excited to have him back. Of course, he just wants to go out there and win that ring. And we're just trying to go out there and help him win it
"We're just excited to have him back," said Pro Bowl running back C.J. Anderson. "Of course, he just wants to go out there and win that ring. And we're just trying to go out there and help him win it ... if he said he's mentally and physically ready to play, that doesn't mean it's at a subpar level. It means it's at a high level."
Manning, who won a title with the Colts in 2006, met general manager John Elway a few weeks ago after taking some time to wind down from an arduous season and told him he was not ready to retire.