Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Legendary Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning Reportedly Told Friends He Expects to Retire

By Luke Schultheis

Jan 31, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning exits a plane during team arrivals at the Mineta San Jose International Airport in preparation of Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning exits a plane during team arrivals at the Mineta San Jose International Airport in preparation of Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, former legendary Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has told friends that he expects to retire following the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers Super Bowl 50 matchup on Sunday:

"“The reality is he let the cat out of the bag a little bit,” Rapoport said Monday. “I also know he has told close friends that he expects this to be his last game as well.”"

Of course, Manning already infamously told New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that this could be his “last rodeo“, so it doesn’t necessarily come as a major surprise.

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) gives a thumbs up to the fans after the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Denver Broncos defeated New England Patriots 20-18 to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) gives a thumbs up to the fans after the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Denver Broncos defeated New England Patriots 20-18 to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Battling age, injuries, and diminished arm strength, the 39 year old future Hall of Famer has had to reinvent himself on the fly this season into a ball-control quarterback–on a Denver Broncos team anchored by a dominant defense on the other side of the football.

While Manning was the backup to young quarterback Brock Osweiler late in the season, he regained the starting job and has led the Broncos to 3 straight wins en route to a Super Bowl appearance.

As a Super Bowl XLI Champion, 5x MVP, 7x First-Team All-Pro, and 14x Pro Bowler, Manning has little else to prove after 18 seasons in the NFL. Not to mention, Manning is also the NFL’s all-time passing touchdown leader (539), passing yards leader (71,940), and 2nd in passing completions (6,125).

Manning spent 14 magical seasons in Indianapolis. Under his leadership, the Colts were consistently an NFL juggernaut, and he was arguably the best quarterback in football at the time–playing nearly every season at an MVP caliber level.

However, winning an elusive 2nd Super Bowl ring would put him right back in the discussion with the New England Patriots Tom Brady and San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana, as to who is arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time–at least to those who “count rings” to determine a quarterback’s legacy.

Home/Colts News