With the Super Bowl officially over, all eyes shift to some of the more pressing offseason headlines beginning to unfold. With free agency just around the corner, every team in the league is trying to figure out the futures of players currently on the roster. The Denver Broncos might have the biggest issue of all as they await to find out if Peyton Manning will be back with the franchise or not. Ending his season on a bad note with injuries, the Broncos hope a decision comes quickly.
According to ESPN.com, Manning is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming week. The quarterback will either return to the Denver Broncos or potentially retire and forego his 18th season in the league. The Broncos are beginning a new era after firing head coach John Fox and hiring Gary Kubiak and they certainly hope the quarterback position is not one they must worry about as well.
Several people have predicted the quarterback returns in 2015. Teammates like Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have stated their confidence in the quarterback playing again. Manning's father Archie Manning told the media that he expects his son to be back in Denver, stating that Manning is a big fan of Kubiak and his offensive system.
Kubiak is likely a crucial piece to Manning's decision. According to the quarterback, he and the head coach met last week to simply get to know one another. Per NFL rules, Manning and Kubiak are prevented from talking to one another during certain points in the offseason. However, Manning needs to know what he is working with because a decision to return needs to happen before the new year begins on March 10. If he is on the roster come March 9, he is guaranteed all of his $19 million salary in 2015.
While the Broncos wait on a decision from Manning, the future of Julius Thomas might have already been decided. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the tight end is not expected to be back in Denver in 2015 as he prepares to be an unrestricted free agent. Thomas is looking to get paid and Denver simply cannot afford him as teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders look his way.
Demaryius Thomas is expected to return, but potentially only on a franchise tag contract. Thomas is another player looking to get a raise after developing into one of Manning's favorite targets. Denver and Thomas have had contract talks that went nowhere prior to the 2014 season starting. If they do not pick up once again, the Broncos will likely hit Thomas with the franchise tag in order to retain him for at least one more season.
