Peyton Manning is, indeed, going out on top.
Manning informed the Broncos of his decision to retire, according to the team’s official site. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported the news early on Sunday, as Manning informed the team on Saturday night. Manning will hold a Monday news conference to discuss the decision.
“When you look at everything Peyton has accomplished as a player and person, it’s easy to see how fortunate we’ve been to have him on our team,” said Broncos VP John Elway in a statement. “Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more—not only for the football team but in the community. I’m very thankful Peyton chose to play for the Denver Broncos, and I congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career.”
Manning retires as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and passing yards. A two-time Super Bowl winner, he resurrected his career in Denver after spinal fusion surgery that ended his career with the Colts and led many to question whether he’d be able to come back from it.
Though there had been rumblings that Manning was considering another season, the decision doesn’t come as any great surprise. The 2015 season was the most difficult of Manning’s career between injury and on-field struggles, but he managed to evolve into something of a game manager and quarterback Denver to a Super Bowl win. Off the field, he has been forced to answer questions about his links to HGH and his role in an alleged sexual assault when he was in college in 1996.
The Broncos will likely step up their efforts to retain Brock Osweiler, a pending free agent who is viewed as Manning’s successor in Denver. As for Manning, he’ll have no shortage of opportunity, whether it be television work or a front office role, which he has been linked to before.
