Will Super Bowl 50 be the final time that we see Peyton Manning on an NFL field? We’ll likely hear a lot of speculation about that as we head into the game, during the game, and after the game until a decision is made. CBS commentator and former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has already chimed in on the matter.
Tony Gonzalez on #Broncos' Manning:"In my opinion, I think it will be his final game. And I think it's going to be a treat for all of us."
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) February 1, 2016
This would certainly not be a surprise. Manning has had a hard time staying healthy this year. For most of the season, he was pretty mediocre. Since returning in Week 17, he hasn’t thrown any interceptions, but hasn’t exactly shown himself to be one of the game’s best quarterbacks either.
Also, while it doesn’t sound as though Gonzalez is speaking with any real inside knowledge, he’s more qualified than most to comment on the matter. Like Manning, Gonzalez had a long, Hall of Fame-caliber career that ended in 2013 and is likely well versed with what goes through a great athlete’s mind at the end of his career when the physical skills are diminished.
The most logical guess is that Gonzalez is right. Manning’s harshest critics couldn’t realistically rank him any worse than a top-five quarterback in NFL history. He has absolutely nothing to prove.
The one thing that might inspire one more season would be a great performance in Super Bowl 50 that leads to a Denver Broncos victory. Otherwise, it’s not likely that Manning will get better next season, when he’ll be 40.
So, if he’s just a big name game manager in Super Bowl 50, win or lose, calling it a career makes the most sense.