Peyton Manning Tells Broncos He's Physically, Mentally Able to Play in 2015

Peyton Manning apparently has no doubt about his status for 2015 and willingness to remain with the Denver Broncos.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Manning told the Broncos front office that he is both mentally and physically prepared to go at least one more season:

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The two sides met Thursday in Denver, and while retirement technically remains an option for Manning, it is not one he expressed to Elway and CEO Joe Ellis, sources said. …

Manning...took it upon himself to get a comprehensive evaluation from a renowned performance manager and trainer, Mackie Shilstone, during the past 2½ weeks in New Orleans.

Shilstone, who was [sic] worked with several elite athletes in the latter stages of their careers, has given the quarterback a strong assessment based on numerous workouts and tests, a source said.

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed Mortensen's sentiment that Manning wants to play in 2015 and asked some questions about a possible return for the star quarterback:

Mortensen added in his report that it's not as simple as Manning declaring that he's ready and the Broncos welcoming him back with open arms. There are a few considerations the team has before it decides to retain Manning.

According to Spotrac, the 14-time Pro Bowler is set to make $19 million next year, which is a lot to pay a quarterback who turns 39 in March, even if that quarterback is Manning. That $19 million becomes guaranteed if Denver doesn't cut him before March 9.

Denver general manager John Elway adamantly said back in January that his plans for 2015 include Manning, per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling:

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In four or five weeks, we'll get back together and see where he is. The career that he's had and what he's done, not only for the NFL, but in the short time he's been here with the Denver Broncos, what he's meant to us is tremendous.

We'll continue to monitor that, but the bottom line is we want him back, and it's going to come down to what Peyton wants to do.

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If Manning ultimately does stay with Denver, the team might try to restructure his current deal. Bleacher Report's Mike Tanier wrote last month about how tight the Broncos' finances will be if Manning doesn't agree to a new deal.

Tight end Julius Thomas and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas head this year's group of free agents in Denver, and they're joined by guys such as Brandon Marshall, Terrance Knighton and Orlando Franklin, all of whom proved their worth to the team over the last year or two.

Retaining even a small handful of those guys won't be cheap, and the task will be even more difficult with Manning's current 2015 salary. If he and the team can work out a newer deal, it might ease some of Denver's financial burden.

Either way, whether or not Manning is a Broncos player next year is just one of many questions hovering around the franchise this offseason. But according to Manning, his body is willing, and he still has the desire to return in 2015.