Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith debate whether Broncos QB Peyton Manning will actually retire, in response to John Elway's comments this week that he will give the two-time Super Bowl champion as much time as he needs to make a decision. (1:23)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Until the words come out of Peyton Manning's mouth -- and only his mouth -- what happens with the Denver Broncos' quarterback remains a bit of a question mark even as the deadline for all involved approaches.

While many around Manning believe he is poised to announce his retirement, the Broncos have been quick to say Manning deserves all the time he needs to make a decision. What is known is the clock is ticking on a decision for all involved as the new league year begins -- 4 p.m. ET on March 9 -- when Manning's $19 million base salary is guaranteed.

The Broncos are trying to conduct their free-agency business -- specifically long-term deals with quarterback Brock Osweiler and linebacker Von Miller -- and will need to know Manning's decision before then.

As a deadline approaches on Peyton Manning announcing his plans, the Broncos are bracing for new parameters to secure Brock Osweiler. Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

There is also the matter of the timetable to have a conversation. Manning met with Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway last Tuesday, before Elway left for the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Elway and coach Gary Kubiak were still at the combine Monday and weren't scheduled to return to Denver until Monday night.

Kubiak is expected to meet, or at least speak with, Manning on Tuesday. Manning also has two speaking engagements this week -- Wednesday in Jacksonville, Florida, and Friday in Las Vegas. That leaves a limited number of days before free agency opens if Manning were to announce his retirement in a formal setting at the Broncos' complex.

The Broncos also continue to forge ahead on a new deal for Osweiler. The two sides have spoken plenty in recent weeks, including at the combine, and a deal could be concluded after the negotiating window opens March 7 -- free agents can see what other teams are proposing then but can't agree to a deal with a new team -- but before free agency formally opens March 9.

"We know where Brock is. Brock knows what we have to offer," Elway said at the combine. "We still have a great deal of interest in Brock. We'd like to do something with Brock."

With the salary cap set to be $155.27 million per team for the 2016 season, an increase of more than $35 million per team since 2011, the parameters on a deal for a quarterback such as Osweiler will likely rise as well. Comparable quarterbacks in age and experience have signed deals for between $10 million and $11 million per year, but it figures to take more to sign Osweiler given the jump in the cap and the available space quarterback-needy teams in the league have.

The Broncos were 5-2 in games Osweiler started this past season, though he was pulled in the third quarter of the regular-season finale -- his seventh start in place of the injured Manning. Manning started all three of the Broncos' postseason games, including the Super Bowl 50 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Elway was quick to say this past week that Osweiler's work last season merited a potential deal from the Broncos.

"I think that with the sample size that we got from Brock, we were excited about what we saw," Elway said. "I think when you look at the seven games that he started and the way that he played, he made some good strides. You never know what a quarterback can do until he gets in there ... I think he proved a lot to us."

Added Kubiak this past week: "He [Osweiler] played against some really good people in some tough situations. He played very well. I think he has a bright future. Obviously we think the world of him. We want him to be a part of our football team."

Osweiler finished the season with 1,967 yards passing, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He had three games with at least 296 yards passing -- losses to the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers to go with an overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals.