Peyton Manning still isn't sure if he will return to the gridiron next season, but he is grateful to be given the time to make a thoughtful and careful choice.
“I haven’t made a decision. I’m still trying to take some time to evaluate some things and to talk to some people," Manning said Friday at the Bart Starr Award banquet.
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“Some of those things are personal. Some things I want to discuss with … Joe [Ellis, the Broncos' president and CEO] and John [Elway] and Coach [Gary Kubiak]. There has been a lot of change since our last game and I want to hear what they have to say and get their thoughts on some things, share some thoughts of my own with them and get some feedback.”
The Broncos quarterback does not have a timetable for when he will decide if he is coming back to the team, but knows he doesn't want to keep fans waiting or have a dramatic reveal.
“I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing. I’d like to make a decision soon. At the same time, both Coach and Joe and John have instructed me to take some time. So I am following their orders."
Manning injured his right quad in November and opted out of the Pro Bowl to continue to heal. During that time that he has reevaluated his health and what his abilities can add to Denver.
“I’m taking some time to assess some things and to see [if I should play]. That’s something that’s important to me," Manning said. "Its not whether can I physically do it for my self, but can I physically do it to help the team…I want to be able to look Coach Kubiak and John Elway and Joe Ellis in the eye and say, ‘I honestly feel that I can contribute and help.’”
Another contributing factor in Manning's return has to do with Kubiak, who will be taking over for John Fox as Denver's head coach.
Manning wants to make sure he and Kubiak are on the same page, but knows he will have to wait until the season officially ends to discuss football.
"I have had some dialogue with Coach Kubiak; I did have a chance to see him in person the other day. These NFL rules are a little bit different. You’re not allowed to talk football, so it’s a chance for he and I to get to know each other.
“It’s difficult to sit and talk to a football coach and not discuss football. [You] have dinner, you eat and you sit in silence for a little bit until you figure out what you’re allowed to talk about. But I did enjoy getting to know him… I look forward to doing that again.”
While it's not certain when Manning will reach a decision, there are some important deadlines coming up. Manning will have to pass a physical in March and give Kubiak time to prepare his offense.
However, the Broncos aren't pushing Manning too hard to give them a decision at this time.
“It’s been comforting to hear from John and Joe and hearing from Coach the other day that they are not in a rush to have an answer," Manning said. "I’m kind of following their orders to take some time and to gather some information and to continue an overall assessment. Hopefully that will leads me to an answer … pretty quickly”