Much has changed for Peyton Manning since Christmas. Days before the 38-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback helped the Denver Broncos defeat the Oakland Raiders in their final, regular-season game, Manning seemed optimistic about his future.
"I certainly plan on being back if the Broncos would have me, but at this point I'm kind of thinking about Oakland," Manning said, via ESPN. "I know this is the time where conversations about what head coaches are going to return and I guess for some reason I get to fall into that category because I'm closer to the same age as some of the coaches.
"I have no plans along those lines [of retiring]. I'm enjoying playing, I'm looking forward to Sunday's game and hopefully the game to follow that.''
But the following game came Sunday, Jan. 11, and it was ugly. Manning was mostly ineffective in a 24-13 loss to the underdog Indianapolis Colts in Denver. Afterward, he refused to commit to the 2015 season.
"My mindset right now is just disappointment after [Sunday's] game ... I'm disappointed, I kind of need to process this game, we'll meet [Monday, Jan. 12]. I'm disappointed, I need to process this game,'' he said.
When pressed for a "yes" or "no" concerning next fall, Manning was unable to offer anything worthwhile.
"Uh, yeah, I guess I just can't give that simple answer," he said. "I'm processing it. I can't say that. I could not say that.''
The former Colts star is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL, and is the all-time leader in passing touchdowns, yards and several other categories.
But his Achilles' heel has always been the playoffs, where his career winning percentage (11-12, .478) falls below his regular season number (179-77, .699). Sunday's loss was a humbling reminder that Manning, who led the Broncos to the Super Bowl last season and has won an NFL-record five MVP awards, is not immortal.
Football fans would surely like to see him back for another season, but that may no longer be the plan.
