When Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning suits up during Super Bowl XLVIII this Sunday, it likely won't be the last time that he steps onto an NFL field to take his position under center, at least according to his most recent comments where he said he "certainly" wants to keep playing beyond his team's Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks but didn't make any promises.
ESPN reports that Manning said he planned on playing after the 2014 season upon their arrival to the site of the Super Bowl Sunday night.
"I certainly had a career change two years ago with my injury, with changing teams so I truly have been a one-year-at-a-time basis, so I really have no plans beyond this game," Manning said via ESPN. "I had no plans coming into this season beyond this year, I think that's kind a healthy way to approach your career at this stage."
He added: "I still enjoy playing football, I feel a little better than I thought I would at this point coming off that surgery. I still enjoy the preparation part of it, the work part of it. Everybody enjoys the game, everybody's excited to play in a Super Bowl, but I think when you still enjoy the preparation, the work part of it, I think you still ought to be doing that. I think as soon as I stop enjoying it, if I can't do this, if I can't help the team, that's when I stop playing. If that's next year and maybe it is, but I certainly want to continue to keep playing."
Manning, who has referenced the fact that his career is winding down and even said he could see a "light at the end of the tunnel" has halted retirement talks as he aims for his second career Super Bowl and first with the Broncos. Manning won it all with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2007.
According to ESPN, Manning will undergo evaluations on his surgically-repaired neck following this season and go from there, but for now he's staying tight-lipped about his future.
"He doesn't talk about that kind of stuff," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said Sunday per ESPN. "Whether it's his last [game] or his first of many more, I don't really care right now. All I'm worried about is this week. ... I never got any indication he was talking about retiring. You would think after a season like this he'd play 10 more years. But we all know that's not going to happen. I'm sure he'll hang 'em up when it's time."
Manning set NFL single-season records by throwing for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns this season. He's under contract through 2016 on a five-year $96 million deal.
It remains to be seen what Manning does following this Sunday, but for now he's focused on leading the Broncos to their first Super Bowl title since the 1998-99 season.
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