Despite the fact that the NFL season ended months ago (indeed, we are now closer to the start of next season's training camp than we are to last season's Super Bowl), the Deflategate controversy surrounding the Patriots simply will not go away. Tom Brady could end up facing a suspension over the issue, and more punishments could be handed down.

Peyton Manning Not Done After 2015?

Opinions vary on whether or not Brady should face a suspension, but while nearly every analyst has already weighed in, one of Brady's chief rivals may also want to see him suspended.

According to the Washington Post, Peyton Manning recently spoke about Deflategate, and while he called Brady a friend, he did not exactly have his back. "Like I said, I'll speak it as clearly and slowly as I can," said Manning. "He's my friend, he'll always be my friend. I don't know what happened, I don't have much more than that for you."

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You can say what you want about whether or not Manning and Brady are actually friends, but regardless of their relationship, that could hardly be considered going to bat for Brady.

Could it be that Manning knows how much weight his opinion carries, so he purposely did not try to portray Brady as innocent in the hopes that the New England quarterback will receive a lengthy suspension?

Rumors are already out there saying that Brady could be suspended for half a season or longer. A ban of that length would likely give Denver the best shot at landing home field advantage throughout the playoffs, thus easing their path to the Super Bowl considerably. And that is without mentioning that New England could miss the postseason entirely if they are forced to play that long without their star.

Manning has earned his reputation as one of the NFL's nicest guys, but he is still a fierce competitor that desperately wants another Super Bowl ring. Perhaps his Deflategate comments are the first bit of gamesmanship ahead of an exciting 2015 season.

For more on Deflategate, see the video below.