GM John Elway Wants Peyton Manning Back With Denver Broncos Next Season

Peyton Manning was disappointed with his own performance in the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round playoffs. Despite coming up short once again of a Super Bowl title this season, Broncos General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said that he wants the veteran quarterback back with Denver next season.

"The bottom line is, we want him back, and it's going to come down to what he wants to do," Elway said. "Obviously, 10 games into the year we had a little shift as far as what we did on offense, trying to create more balance. So therefore it was something new for him, because he hadn't had that balance before. It was a bit of an adjustment for him and I think he did a heck of a job adjusting.”

Manning has over two months to decide if he wants to remain with the Broncos. If he’s on the roster by March 10, 2015, his salary, $19 million for the 2015 season will be guaranteed. The Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed that going separate ways after their elimination in the NFL postseason. Fox led the team to four postseason appearance in his stint in Denver but never got them the NFL championship.

Elway admitted that’s it’s too early the franchise to force Manning into a decision and said that they respect that the veteran needs some time to think if he wants to continue his football career either with Denver. The 38-year-old Manning played through various injuries in the latter half of the season and the playoffs. Elway also said that the next head coach who will replace Fox will want to know of Manning’s status as well.

If Manning decides to retire, the Broncos will most likely go with Brock Osweiler, a 2012 NFL Draft second round pick or Zac Desert, a quarterback who spent most of the 2014 season on the practice squad.

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