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Will this be the final season for Peyton Manning?

By Nick Ziegler

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The Denver Broncos had a disappointing 2014 for their standards, as they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts. The Broncos had high expectations with a great offseason in 2014, but they fell very short of them.

One of the big questions for the Broncos heading into this offseason was the health of quarterback Peyton Manning, and whether or not he would be returning in 2015. Manning has recently passed his physical, and has even helped the Broncos’ organization by taking a $4 million pay cut.

Manning is going to be 39-years-old soon, as he knows that his window is closing, as with a thigh injury last season he looked like a quarterback who was ready to retire. Manning passing his physical is obviously a great thing for the Broncos, as if Manning’s career was done, the Broncos would be in a lot of trouble.

After major neck surgery that kept him out for the entire 2011 season with the Colts, it looked like one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL would have his career ended early. John Elway and the Broncos believed that Manning would be able to comeback from the injury, and become the Broncos’ QB despite the neck problem.

In his first year with the Broncos in 2012, Manning would look like he didn’t miss a beat after a year off from the NFL. He would go on to lead the Broncos to a 13-3 record with 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions. The move to sign Manning came with some risks certainly for the Broncos, as they did make the playoffs the season before thanks to miraculous performances from Tim Tebow, but Manning was a massive upgrade at the position.

After a solid comeback year in 2012, Manning would go on to lead the Broncos to becoming one of the best offenses in the history of the NFL. One season after winning the Comeback Player of the Year award, Manning would win the MVP in 2013. In the best season of his career, Manning would have career-highs with 55 touchdowns, and 5,477 yards passing, which were both NFL records. The Broncos would take their No. 1 offense into the Super Bowl and lose to the No. 1 defense in the league that season in the Seattle Seahawks. Manning has never had the reputation of performing well in big games or in the playoffs, and against the Seahawks he looked nothing like the quarterback that was playing during that regular season.

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The monster season for the Broncos in 2013, understandably brought expectations with the signings of DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, and Aqib Talib. With the additions to the Broncos’ defense, they were the favorites in the AFC to return to the Super Bowl, but it was Manning and the offense that took a step back.

Manning’s stats had to drop from 2013 in 2014, but the drop-off was significant. Manning threw for 4,727 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, which aren’t bad stats by any means, but after Week 11, he only threw for over 300 yards in one game.

There was an offensive philosophy change for the Broncos, as they went from a primarily passing offense to a heavy run offense. C.J. Anderson would have a great season after injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, he became the Broncos’ no.1 running back. Anderson would finish the 2014 season with 849 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and 4.7 yards per carry.

2015 could very well be last season for Manning, and if that’s the case, Elway and the Broncos will have to think for the future. If this is indeed the last season for Manning, the Broncos will need to really evaluate backup quarterback Brock Osweiler in training camp, and the preseason. Denver may also look to add a quarterback sometime in the NFL Draft. If this is the final season for Manning, it’s been a great career for him no matter what happens in 2015.

Next: Will the Broncos draft a QB?

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