Broncos, Archie Manning deny Peyton Manning retirement report

Archie Manning, Peyton Manning’s father, hasn’t heard from his son yet about his decision to retire or continue his career, according to reports.

Despite reports that quarterback Peyton Manning would be announcing his retirement from the NFL next week, multiple people around Manning are reporting that he is still undecided about his future, including his father. Archie Manning, a former quarterback in the NFL himself, told NFL.com that Peyton, “hasn’t told me a thing.”

Of course, just because he hasn’t let Archie know about a decision doesn’t mean that hasn’t made one yet, but you’d think that his father who mentored him through much of his young career would be one of the first people to know.

Manning’s employer, the Denver Broncos, also denied the reports that Manning was planning on announcing his retirement next week. Patrick Smyth, a public relations worker for the Broncos, said that Peyton does plan on continuing talks with the team this week, but has yet to come to a decision on whether or not he will come back for another year in the NFL.

Involved in those talks is team general manager — and yet another former quarterback — John Elway, who has said they are not looking to rush Manning in this decision, or push him one way or the other.

Peyton has to get a physical done by Friday if he will be back with the team next season, so it seems reasonable to expect a decision from Manning this week.

Manning is coming off of his fourth Super Bowl appearance and second career Super Bowl win in early February, and just finished up his 18th season in the NFL. Having to decide you’re walking away from something you’ve spent nearly the last two decades doing is a huge decision, so it’s no surprise that Manning is taking some time to soak up his Super Bowl victory and think about what’s next for his life.