Update: Peyton Manning is set to announce his retirement from the NFL. Manning led the Broncos a win against the Carolina Panthers the Super Bowl this year.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is set to retire from the NFL after winning Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.
Manning was expected to make the decision ahead of the start of free agency this offseason. Manning is walking away from the NFL after 18 seasons in the league split between the Indianapolis Colts and the Broncos. Manning won a Super Bowl with each team and appeared in the championship game four times in his career.
Manning steps away after putting up record numbers as a quarterback. Manning is ranked first in passing touchdowns, quarterback wins and passing yards in NFL history. Manning is tied with Brett Favre for wins with 186 in his career. Manning played 14 seasons with the Colts before joining the Broncos. Manning made the playoffs in all but three of his seasons in the league, and he was a Pro Bowl-player 14 times in his career.
Manning dealt with injuries this past season and missed seven games for the Broncos. Brock Osweiler stepped in for Manning while he was injured. Manning took over towards the end of the season and in the playoffs, leading the Broncos to a Super Bowl win.
Check here for more on Manning and his retirement.
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The Denver Broncos are likely going to try and keep Brock Osweiler this offseason, but if the team takes too long to lock him up, other teams could target the quarterback in free agency. Osweiler could end up a target for teams like the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams or even the New York Jets if the Broncos let him linger on the market.
The Broncos are interested in keeping Osweiler and Osweiler is interested in returning, but everything is being held up by Peyton Manning. Manning likely will retire and may not even return to the Broncos next season if he wants to play, but he has not yet made a decision on his future. According to Mike Klis of KUSA in Denver, the Broncos have yet to start contract talks with Osweiler "out of respect to Manning."
The team likely will get things going soon, but the longer they wait, the closer Osweiler gets to hitting free agency. Osweiler played well enough for Manning last season to get the chance to start for the Broncos and he will officially become a free agent on March 9. Manning will have his $19 million salary guaranteed on March 9 and that is one reason why many do not expect him to return, as the Broncos may not want to pay an aging Manning that much. Osweiler likely wants to start next season and if the Broncos do end up bringing back Manning, Osweiler could consider playing elsewhere.
Peter King at the MMQB writes that Osweiler could be a target for the Browns, while Pro Football Talk writes that the Cleveland Browns, LA Rams, Texans and Jets could be options. The Browns are reportedly moving on from Johnny Manziel and could consider options on the free agent market, while the Rams are planning on an upgrade from Nick Foles and Case Keenum. The Jets are planning to sign back Ryan Fitzpatrick but could consider Osweiler, while the Texans also are looking for an upgrade at the position.
