Peyton Manning Announces Return to Broncos: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Coming off his latest January disappointment, some thought Peyton Manning would walk away. Manning had other ideas.

The Denver Broncos quarterback announced on Wednesday he will return in 2015, a move that falls in line with what he's said all along.    

Manning spoke about his decision to return with Mike Klis of The Denver Post:

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"I don't talk about my contract. I never have in 18 years and I'm not going to start now,"Manning said Wednesday afternoon. "I've been working real hard and I'm excited to be back with the Denver Broncos. Can't wait for April 13 to get here when the team can finally come together. I'm excited to get to work and get to know the new coaches and looking forward to trying to make 2015 a special year."

Manning will take his physical examination at Broncos headquarters on Thursday morning.

"I see that as being pretty routine," he said.

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The Broncos confirmed Manning's return Thursday, via their Twitter account.

General manager John Elway spoke about Manning's return, telling the Broncos' Twitter account,  "We're glad to work something out with Peyton so that he will be part of our team this season."

Head coach Gary Kubiak also spoke on his quarterback, saying, via the Twitter account, "I'm excited Peyton is returning, and I look forward to working with him and all our players starting next month."

Manning is also taking a $4 million pay cut next season to help clear salary-cap space for the Broncos, via Klis. ESPN's Jeff Legwold and Chris Mortensen report he can earn back the $4 million through incentives: $2 million for winning the AFC Championship and $2 million for winning the Super Bowl.

The decision comes after the Broncos' 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round. Manning, 38, threw for 211 yards and a touchdown but also turned the ball over once and struggled with his downfield throws.

With questions looming about his future, Manning attempted to quell all retirement speculation by unequivocally saying he would return for 2015, health permitting.

"I have no plans along those lines [of retiring]," Manning told reporters in December. "I'm enjoying playing, I'm looking forward to Sunday's game and hopefully the game to follow that.''

Health, of course, was not permitting.

Manning played the final month of the season with a torn quad. The injury forced Manning to re-evaluate matters following that Indy loss, with the all-time great saying he was "processing" his decision. Not long after, then-head coach John Fox was gone, and the Broncos hired Kubiak, a move that to some was foretelling of an exit.

The Broncos, for their part, have publicly said they want Manning back all along.

"The bottom line is we want him back," Elway told reporters. "It will come down to what Peyton wants to do."

While there is plenty of argument to be had about where Manning stands on the all-time hierarchy, there probably isn't any player in league history to write a better second act. Manning set the NFL record for touchdown passes (55) and passing yards (5,477) in 2013 and has thrown for at least 37 touchdowns in each of his three Denver seasons.

Whether he can make that four out of four is another question entirely. Manning's second-half stats in 2014 showed a stark decline from his peak—even before the injury. It's fair to wonder whether the Broncos missed out on their last best chance with Manning under center.

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