COLTS

Could Manning play elsewhere in '16? Breaking down QB's options

Stephen Holder
IndyStar
What will Peyton Manning do now? Options include: Stay with Broncos, join another NFL team, join a media team, spend more time as a pitchman.

SAN FRANCISCO — The ticker tape has fallen, the trophy's been kissed, the Budweiser has been consumed.

Soon, it will be time for some difficult, even gut-wrenching decisions for Peyton Williams Manning.

The quarterback is under contract with the Denver Broncos for 2016, but at a staggering salary-cap value of $21.5 million. Retirement is on the table and feels like the most sensible option. What better way to go out than when you’re on top?

But the competitor in Manning makes this an uncertain situation. Manning has made it clear he will continue to play as long as his body lets him. Given his assorted injuries the past two seasons, that’s a standard he arguably can no longer meet.

But he insisted after winning Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 that, all things considered, his body was in decent shape.

“I feel OK,” he said. “I think having some time off when you’re trying to rehab a foot kind of allows other parts of your body to feel OK. So, I felt pretty good, and my arm felt pretty good coming in tonight. … It’s been a physical season. So, I feel OK right now.”

Who knows how this will end? Because we can’t be sure, let’s consider Manning’s options.

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STAYING IN DENVER

Manning’s father, Archie, told NFL Network on Sunday that Manning likely is “done in Denver. He might be done everywhere, but I don’t stick my nose in it, so I don’t know that. That’s my guess.”

The recognition that Manning likely can’t proceed with the Broncos likely is based upon two things. First is the aforementioned salary, which is unsustainable at Manning’s current skill level. The Broncos seem likely to release him if he wishes to play beyond this season. The other likely consideration for Archie Manning is that Denver presumably is planning to move forward with Brock Osweiler as its quarterback. He’s 25 — Manning turns 40 next month — possesses tremendous upside, and the Broncos have to start thinking about the future. But, there’s one huge caveat there: Osweiler becomes a free agent next month, and the market would welcome him with open arms — plus millions of dollars. The Broncos must lock him up.

If Manning is willing to take less money, the Broncos would at least have to discuss the possibility. Whether the sides actually could arrive at an acceptable number is another matter, however. Manning already agreed to trim $4 million from his 2015 salary, and any deal that would allow him to remain in Denver for 2016 would require a much, much deeper sacrifice on his part.

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PLAYING ELSEWHERE

Of course, the Broncos could have no interest in retaining Manning or be unwilling to pay what it would require to do so. In that case, Manning would have to go elsewhere if he wishes to continue playing.

While this does not seem likely, it’s also not a ridiculous notion.

There could be just enough desire both on Manning’s part and on the part of a quarterback-needy team that it remains a possibility. According to a recent report, the Los Angeles Rams have had internal conversations about the idea of adding Manning to their roster for 2016. Desperation at quarterback apparently can prompt teams to consider every available option.

Speaking of which, options are minimal for teams seeking quarterback help this offseason. The NFL draft lacks many surefire quarterback prospects, and free agency is never a great option to fill the need because franchise quarterbacks simply don’t hit the open market.

Teams like the Rams, Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns would be remiss if they totally eliminated the possibility of adding a player like Manning. That said, no one — even those quarterback-hungry teams — can afford to guarantee Manning a starting job in his current state. He’d have to win the job in training camp, and it remains to be seen whether that’s a scenario a proud five-time league MVP could stomach.

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RETIREMENT

Imagine a life where you could eat pizza, sing jingles and pretend to drive a Buick and earn millions for doing so.

That’s the life Manning has awaiting him as a pitchman during retirement. He already dominates on the marketing front even while playing. When he no longer has the time commitment of football to be concerned with, Manning’s marketing will truly know no bounds.

But his retirement options are limitless beyond that. Manning would instantly become one of the hottest television free agents in broadcasting history, with networks sure to throw boatloads of cash at him to put him on the air. Manning also has expressed interest in running or owning a team in the future, and that’s an option that would allow him to remain in the sport in a meaningful capacity.

Whatever he chooses to do, we’ve certainly not seen the last of Manning. The only real question is whether we’ll see him on or off the playing field.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.