Ever since the Denver Broncos became Super Bowl-bound, all the buzz has surrounded Peyton Manning’s decision to play another season or retire after the big game.
However, Manning isn’t the only veteran possibly making his final trip to the Super Bowl. Whether due to age or health concerns, others may share Manning’s sentiment.
Starting with the obvious star who quite literally could be playing his final NFL game, here are seven guys potentially facing a similar fate.
Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
Super Bowl 50 may be the end of the road for Peyton Manning after a brilliant 18-year career.
Sunday will mark Manning’s fourth Super Bowl appearance and will present him with an opportunity to earn a ring for the organization that trusted him to take over as its leader back in 2012.
Considering a severe drop in production and “Father Time” taking its toll in 2015, it would not be surprising to see Manning address the retirement rumors and gracefully bow out of the NFL.
With a laundry list of amazing and record-breaking landmarks established, such as his 5,477-yard, 55-touchdown 2013 season, Manning will retire as one of the most accomplished players in league history.
If the Super Bowl 50 is indeed his “last rodeo,” a win would definitely make Manning’s career decision much easier.
Jared Allen, DE, Carolina Panthers
Jared Allen can literally thank the Chicago Bears for the opportunity to play in his first career Super Bowl.
Following a full season with the club in 2014 and three weeks in 2015, Chicago traded Allen landed to the best team in the NFL before in Week 4. Allen actually did pay tribute to the Bears’ organization for his opportunity, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“How about that, huh? You know what? The Lord is good. I’m comfortable with my hand on the ground, that’s what I want to do. I’ve got to thank Coach (John) Fox and Ryan Pace for allowing me to move and making this possible.”
After achieving All-Pro status four times in his 12-year career and playing in five total playoff games with the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings, Allen’s big day has almost arrived.
Even more special, though, is Allen managed to heal enough from a broken foot to be physically ready to participate on Sunday. The 33-year old will then decide if he wants to give it one more go-round with the Panthers.
DeMarcus Ware, LB, Denver Broncos
DeMarcus Ware is headed to a Super Bowl, something the Cowboys couldn’t quite accomplish during his nine years in Dallas.
Thankfully, the Broncos gave the 33-year-old another chance when they signed him in 2014. Even though Ware’s numbers have steadily declined, he’s a regular contributor for Denver’s defense. Ware recorded 7.5 sacks during the regular season and has notched 1.5 in the playoffs.
Similar to Manning, this could be the final chance for Ware — who has managed at least 10 sacks in eight of 11 career seasons — to earn a Super Bowl ring. Unlike his quarterback, this would be Ware’s first.
Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers
After three ACL surgeries in 11 years with Carolina, Thomas Davis knows better than anyone this might be his last opportunity to play in a championship game.
"I'm in my 11th year in the NFL. Who knows if this opportunity's gonna ever come around again."
– @ThomasDavisSDTMhttps://t.co/vhGMlGiPcM
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 3, 2016
Reportedly a full participant in practice while recovering from a fractured right arm, Davis plans to play on Sunday. Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer notes Davis’ ultimate goal is to bring home a win for team owner Jerry Richardson, who has retained the linebacker since his career began in 2005.
Clearly tough as nails, Davis will be playing with a right forearm that has a plate and 12 screws holding it together, according to Person.
If this season is Davis’ last chance at a Super Bowl, he’ll remember a successful year that included career-high marks in interceptions (four) and sacks (5.5). That’s not too shabby for a 32-year-old linebacker.
Evan Mathis, G, Denver Broncos
A Carolina draft pick in 2005, Evan Mathis will challenge his former team for the Lombardi Trophy.
The 34-year-old has played for five different teams during his 11-year NFL tenure. Mathis spent three seasons with the Panthers then bounced from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles.
After four seasons in Philadelphia, Mathis was cut and eventually signed to bolster the Denver Broncos’ offensive line. During an interview at Super Bowl Media Day, Mathis kept it light when asked about the firing of former Eagles coach Chip Kelly and whether or not he saw it coming, per Fox Sports.
“Man, this California weather is great isn’t it?”
Yes, it sure is.
With Kelly and the Eagles in the rear-view mirror, the only objective on Mathis’ agenda is to make the most out of a Super Bowl experience he may never receive again.
Cortland Finnegan, CB, Carolina Panthers
Cortland Finnegan, 32, began his career as a member of the Tennessee Titans and played there from 2006 through 2011. He landed with the St. Louis Rams for two seasons before one year with the Miami Dolphins in 2014.
Despite announcing his retirement last spring, Finnegan caught on with Carolina in late November. The cornerback spoke about his special chance, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans official site.
“I can’t put into words what this is like. It’s been what you dream about your whole life. When you play football from age seven and you want to play in the NFL, but not only that you want to be part of a Super Bowl. … I walked around for 10 minutes before I did this interview looking around, because I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”
Finnegan has become an integral part of the Panthers defense, contributing as the nickelback. He’ll be relied upon when Emmanuel Sanders or Demaryius Thomas slide inside.
If Finnegan finds himself healthy enough to continue on with the Panthers in 2016, great. But if the veteran decides it’s time to officially hang up his jersey, he may have one unexpected Super Bowl ring to go with it.
Vernon Davis, TE, Denver Broncos
Vernon Davis received a gift in disguise when the San Francisco 49ers abruptly shipped him off to Denver in a Week 8 trade. He went from one of the league’s worst teams to a Super Bowl-bound club.
The tight end’s only other Super Bowl appearance during his 10-year career was when the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.
Now, he returns to his former home stadium to compete in what could be the last chance at a title. He has steadily regressed, and Davis sightings have been so scarce in Denver that some may have wondered if he was even an active member of the team.
How many snaps Davis will receive in the Super Bowl is unknown, but a championship counts the same whether or not he was a significant contributor.