Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is still unsure about his plans for next season, but the veteran is reportedly planning to make a decision before the end of the month.
Manning still has two years left in his contract with the Broncos that will pay him $21.5 million this year and in 2016, but previous reports indicated that the 38-year-old might decide to call it quits soon.
Vic Lombardi of CBS Sports revealed on Thursday that Manning is currently not in Denver, but is working out on his own to determine whether he is still physically fit to make another run with the Broncos in the 2015 NFL season.
Manning, a 14-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time Super Bowl winner, said in December that he intends to return to play for another season, but changed tune after the Broncos took a 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional round last month.
The veteran quarterback, who struggled late in the regular season and failed to make a major impact in the postseason, said after the loss to the Colts that he is unsure about returning next season.
Talks about his possible retirement intensified after the Broncos decided to part ways with coach John Fox and named Gary Kubiak as their new head coach.
When asked about his impending decision, Manning sounded like the coaching shakeup will likely be a factor, but he added that he will discuss things with Kubiak first before deciding to return or retire for good.
"I guess some of those things are personal, some things I want to discuss with them," Manning told reporters late last month. "There's been quite a lot of change since the last game and I want to hear what they have to say, get their thoughts on some things, share some of thoughts of my own with them and get their feedback."
Manning, who completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,727 yards with 39 touchdowns last season, is expected to decide soon as $19 million of his salary for this year will be fully guaranteed if he will still be on their roster March 9.
Should Manning decide to retire, the Broncos are expected to give bigger responsibilities to Brock Osweiler, but Denver linebacker Von Miller is not ready to see Manning go.
Miller said in an interview with The Denver Post that he expects Manning to return next season. The linebacker also added that he sees no reason for Manning to retire because the New Orleans native is still capable of leading the Broncos to a championship.
"We can win a championship with Peyton. I think that's the only thing that matters," Miller said. "What else can I say? I think he's coming back. He said a long time ago that he would stop playing football when he felt like he was hurting a team more than helping a team."
