Reporting from DENVER — So where does Peyton Manning go from here?
This much is clear: The NFL’s only five-time most valuable player, who held his retirement news conference Monday, will have plenty of opportunities after football.
“He’s got a bunch of commitments, corporate speeches,†his father, Archie, told The Times. “He’s good at that, and he’ll fulfill those while he considers some other things that will be in front of him. I know the TV folks will talk to him. Peyton’s pretty good at figuring stuff out. He won’t jump at anything. He’ll lay everything on the table.â€
Manning, who earned $12 million off the field last year as a product pitchman, has long been reticent to discuss his after-football plans, reasoning that might become a distraction that could cause him to lose focus.
But as a player, he took an unusual interest in the minute aspects of how a franchise is run. He wanted to know, for instance, who each non-player was on the sideline during a game and why that person needed to be there. He was always interested in where the team’s scouts were traveling, and why. John Madden, the hall-of-fame coach and a longtime family friend, has long speculated Manning took that keen interest because he has been preparing himself to be a team owner.
Manning’s father chuckled at that suggestion.
“That’s very ambitious,†Archie said. “I don’t know about an owner, but I do think administration is a consideration, along with TV and I guess coaching, although I don’t know if he’d go that route. I don’t think Peyton’s saying absolutely no to anything. I think he feels like he’s fortunate to have opportunities and options. He’s pretty good at digging into stuff like that and seeing what fits.â€
During the on-field celebration when Denver beat Carolina in the Super Bowl, Olivia Manning told two reporters that she hoped her son would retire.
“Physically, I just don’t think it’s worth going on,†she said. “He won a Super Bowl — it’s the best way to go out.â€
But Archie, who played quarterback in the NFL for 16 seasons, was careful not to dispense too much advice when he and Peyton sat down recently to discuss his plans.
“Most people felt he should retire, but I told Peyton to do what he wanted to do,†he said. “If he could get healthy and play some more, then he should do it. I think Peyton did it the right way. He took his time.â€
Archie called the 2015 season “the most trying one†for Peyton, other than missing the entire 2011 season in Indianapolis because of a neck injury that required four surgeries.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks at the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the Super Bowl 50 awards ceremony following Denver’s 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
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Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy by a teammate during the awards ceremony at Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos General Manager John Elway holds aloft the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Denver defeated Carolina in the Super Bowl in February. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton walks off the field after losing to the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
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Quarterbacks Cam Newton and Peyton Manning share a brief moment following Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak is doused with Gatorade in the closing seconds of a 24-10 victory over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos center Matt Paradis reacts as teammate C.J. Anderson scores on a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts after C.J. Anderson’s two-yard TD run against the Panthers.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter.
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Broncos defensive back T.J. Ward recovers a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos defensive backs Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward celebrate after Ward recovered a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is brought down by Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson during the fourth quarter.
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Panthers receiver Corey Brown (10) makes an off-balance catch against Broncos defensive backs T.J. Ward (43) and Aqib Talib (21) during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe reacts after sacking Carolina’s Cam Newton (not pictured) during the second half.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts to an incompletion during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles from the Broncos’ pass rush during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
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Beyonce gives a hair-raising performance during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show at Levi’s Stadium.
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Bruno Mars, a last-minute addition, performs during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
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Chris Martin of Coldplay lays it on the line as he performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50.
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Beyonce, Chris Martin and Bruno Mars perform together during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos receiver Jordan Norwood (11) runs the ball deep into Panthers territory on a 61-yard punt return in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton sits on the turf after being knocked down during a pass attempt in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson stiff-arms Panthers defensive back Cortland Finnegan during the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over the line of scrimmage against the Broncos for a one-yard touchdown in the first half.
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Quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with reserve quarterback Derek Anderson after the Panthers scored a touchdown in the first half.
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Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tries to fend off Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan on a 19-yard reception in the first half.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton unleashes a pass against the Broncos in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib tackles Panthers receiver Corey Brown by using the facemask, drawing a penalty during the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is sacked by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half.
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson signals first down after he’s brought down by Panthers defensive end Jared Allen in the first half.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, leading to a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Malik Jackson (not pictured).
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Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) recovers a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for a touchdown during the first half.
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Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning attempts a pass against the Panthers during the first drive of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos receiver Andre Caldwell makes a 22-yard catch against Panthers defensive back Tre Boston in the first half.
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Broncos kicker Brandon McManus converts a 34-yard field goal in the first half to open the scoring in Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) makes a reception against Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half.
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The Blue Angels perform a flyover during pregame ceremonies for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
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Lady Gaga sings the national anthem before the start of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium last February. (Larry W. Smith / EPA)
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Former Jets quarterback Joe Namath, MVP of Super Bowl III, is introduced before Super Bowl 50.
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Past Super Bowl MVPs are introduced before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
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Denver’s Corey Nelson (52) and Max Garcia (73) take a moment in the end zone before Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers receiver Corey Brown warms up before Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
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NBA star Stephen Curry greets Panthers Coach Ron Rivera before Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller greets NBA star Kevin Durant before Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
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Denver Broncos fans cheer during warmups before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton stretches during warmups before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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A Carolina Panthers fan watches as the teams warm up before Super Bowl 50.
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Bonrcos quarterback Peyton Manning warms up Sunday at Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50.
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Fans enter the Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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Fans take s selfie near military personnel outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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Denver Broncos fans arrive at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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A Panthers fan arrives at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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Large dryers are used several hours before Super Bowl 50 to make sure the paint is set in the end zone at Levi’s Stadium.
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Workers take pictures outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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A security member arrives at Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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A soldier stands guard Sunday outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50.
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A soldier stands guard outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(Ben Margot / Associated Press) “I think he was all set to commit to this new offense,†Archie said, referring to the run-heavy scheme of first-year Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak. “ I think Peyton really felt like this new offense would be good and might even allow him to play maybe three or four more years because it wouldn’t all be on his shoulders.
“But I think in transitioning to it, two bad things happened. One, they couldn’t run, which made it hard. And two, he was hurt, which made it hard. But the end result was they won a Super Bowl. You just smile and walk away.â€
The elder Manning said his son is “at peace†with his decision.
“It’s time,†Archie said. “That’s the way it was with me. It was time… I always hate it with former teammates of mine, good friends, who got cut and were just bitter for so long. They just couldn’t get over it.
“I think that’s the great thing about Peyton stepping away. He’s not mad at anybody. He’s got two fantastic relationships with two great organizations. Great memories. Lifelong teammates and friendships with coaches and so forth. He’s really blessed to have played that many years, to have so many friendships.â€
