Peyton Manning continues to be the focus of the Denver Broncos' offseason as everyone awaits the decision from Peyton Manning on whether or not to return to the franchise. There has been plenty of speculation regarding whether or not the quarterback plans on retiring, heading to another team or returning to Denver under new head coach Gary Kubiak. One person confident Manning will be back under center is wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos are operating under the belief that Manning will return in 2015. The quarterback ended the season in struggle, playing the final few games with a tear in his quad. Manning has remained silent as the Broncos hire a completely new staff following the firing of John Fox. With offensive coordinate Adam Gase out, many wonder if Manning no longer wants to play for the Broncos. Sanders believes he will be back.
"It's been a good season. Obviously it ended with a Pro Bowl. I wish it would have ended with a Super Bowl," Sanders said, via NFL.com. "I'm out here in my first Pro Bowl and I caught over 100 balls and went for 1,40 yards. I was fortunate this year that Peyton believed in me and kept throwing me the ball....And Peyton says he's going to come back, but I'm not really worried about it, I really just want to win a Super Bowl. So that is all that is on my mind."
Sanders does not seem too concerned about the pending changes coming Denver's way. Outside of Manning, the team has a number of offensive stars in need of new contracts. Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker all have their contracts expiring and not everyone can be back. Julius Thomas might be the first out.
According to Walter Football, Thomas is not expected to return to the Broncos in 2015. The tight end is headed for free agency in hopes of getting a big pay day. The Broncos have a lot of tough decisions to make regarding player contracts and Thomas wants more money than Denver can likely afford.
Star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is likely taking priority with contract negotiations. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton will also be a priority in free agency. That will Thomas waiting his turn and he might opt to hit the market early instead of waiting his turn. The jury is still out on the future of Welker who fell back on the depth chart after injuries and a suspension hurt his time on the field.
