Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos danced to an unusual tune this offseason, but after all of the rumors about release and retirement died down, the two sides ended up paired together heading into the 2015 season, just as everyone expected that they would.

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Manning did restructure his contract to help the team out by taking less money before he came back, and so far, the Broncos do not appear to have a solid plan for how to use that money. Manning would never publicly rock the boat, but it seems fair to wonder if he feels like that was a waste. Still, Manning did get something in return for giving salary back, according to Pro Football Talk: a no-trade clause in his contract.

Obviously that means that the team cannot part with Manning without his approval, but it also signifies that Manning either wanted to play in Denver or not at all in 2015. But what does it mean for the future of Manning and the Broncos?

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The trade clause only applies to 2015, so after the upcoming season, the team could deal Manning just like they could any other player. There is no guarantee that they would try and do that, but by agreeing to only the one year no-trade clause, Manning could be indicating that 2015 will be his final season regardless of whether or not he wins that elusive second Super Bowl title.

From Denver's point of view, it could be a safety net that allows them to move on from Manning after the 2015 season if his play declines (or for any other reason). The team could obviously release him, but even as he approaches 40, Manning would still fetch a hefty return via trade. So perhaps the Broncos are also looking at 2015 as Manning's final year in a Denver uniform, no matter what happens.