After the Broncos defeated the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Peyton Manning acknowledged that Super Bowl 50 could be the final game of his NFL career.
In a lengthy embrace with Bill Belichick, Manning said this current run might be his “last rodeo.”
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“Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo, so it sure has been a pleasure,” Manning told Belichick.
No one would be surprised if Manning retires, especially if the Broncos end up winning it all. While he is still one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league and can be effective based on that alone, Manning’s physical skills are clearly in decline. Denver has needed him to be more of a game manager than anything, and it’s doubtful he will want to do that for another full season.
When Manning was injured earlier this year, reports indicated that he fully intends to play in 2016 — even if it is with a team other than the Broncos. Of course, that was before he was accused of taking HGH and his wife Ashley was dragged into the mix. Perhaps that and the physical demands of the game have taken a toll on the future Hall of Famer.
