According to The Denver Post’s Woody Paige, Denver Broncos quarterback and former Indianapolis Colts all-time great Peyton Manning will announce his retirement by the end of this week:
"“His Bronc riding days are over; the last rodeo is done.Peyton Manning is saying goodbye; it’s been lots of fun.I’m told Manning will acknowledge his decision by the end of this week.In all probability, Peyton, who will turn 40 on March 24, is leaving the Broncos and retiring from the game he has played competitively for 29 years.”"
Of course, it doesn’t come as a surprise, as it’s been speculated for weeks after winning the Super Bowl that Manning would eventually announce his retirement.
Arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, Manning has little else to prove. After all, he’s a 2x Super Bowl Champion, 5x MVP, 7x 1st-Team All-Pro, 14x Pro Bowler, 2x Offensive Player of the Year, and member of the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team.
Not to mention, Manning is currently the NFL’s all-time leader in career passing touchdowns (539), passing yards (71,940), and 2nd in passing completions (6,125).
Set to turn 40 years old in March, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer gets to end his highly decorated 19-year career with a storybook ending as something he’s always been: a champion.
Of course, Colts fans will want to know whether Manning plans to take team owner Jim Irsay up on his offer and sign a 1-day contract to retire as a member of his longtime team and real home in Indianapolis:
"“I would love to have him retire as a Colt,” said Irsay before the Super Bowl."
The franchise which Manning played 14 seasons for and the majority of his illustrious career would be able to send him out in style with a well-deserved farewell press conference.
Either way, it’s great to “the Sheriff” ride off into the sunset on his own terms.
Update (8:50 PM EST): There are now conflicting reports of whether Manning has actually informed the Denver Broncos of his decision to retire:
Source says Broncos have not been informed of any decision by Peyton Manning and that the team expects to talk to him again this week.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 28, 2016