AP

Fifteen days ago, the Broncos won the Super Bowl with quarterback Peyton Manning. Within 15 days, the Broncos need to cut Peyton Manning.

Yes, the no-deadline deadline is fast approaching, lost within the last nine days of coverage and discussion regarding Peyton Manning’s past not his future.

If Manning is on the Broncos’ roster after the close of business on March 8, Manning’s $19 million salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed. Which means he won’t be on the roster after the close of business on March 8.

It’s possible Manning privately has let the Broncos know what he’ll be doing, with the two sides still figuring out how to handle the announcement that he’ll be retiring (or, as the case may be, that he’ll be released so that he can explore other opportunities). His only chance of remaining with the team would flow from taking a massive pay cut. Even then, the Broncos may not want him back.

Either way, the clock is ticking. Even if the Broncos have taken the official position that there’s no clock at all.