Broncos' Peyton Manning expects 'to make a decision soon' on future

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption Teammates weigh in: Will Peyton Manning be back? Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas weigh in on whether Peyton Manning will return.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said Friday he has yet to decide if he'll play in 2015, but he doesn't anticipate himself being in limbo much longer.

'I'm not interested in making this a lingering thing," Manning said after receiving the NFL's Bart Starr award in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"I'd like to make a decision soon."

Manning, who will turn 39 in March, must take a physical before the new league year begins on March 10. If he is on the Broncos' roster on March 9, his 2015 salary of $19 million becomes guaranteed.

Though the five-time MVP played through a strained quadriceps muscle over the final month of the 2014 season, he doesn't believe he will have any trouble passing the physical, nor will the results of the check-up play a major factor in his decision.

"I think something that's important to me is not whether I can physically do it for myself, (but) can I physically do it to help the team? I've always wanted to be part of the solution to helping and never a problem," Manning said.

"It's one thing to play and have a uniform and be on the roster. It's another thing to truly be able to contribute and help. That's the only way I've ever known to play football."

Manning has already spoken with new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who was hired to replace John Fox earlier this month.

However quarterback and coach did not speak much about actual football. Kubiak has long run a different style of offense than what Manning has been accustomed to in Denver and, previously, with the Indianapolis Colts. Working together could require some changes for both of them, though Kubiak has expressed optimism for tailoring a playbook to Manning's strengths.

"If I choose to come back, I feel pretty comfortable — aside maybe from Tubby Raymond's Delaware Blue Hen Wing T offense — I feel pretty comfortable playing in any offense," said Manning.

"I really do. So I don't see that being really a factor."

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