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John Elway on Peyton Manning retirement: It's his decision

By The Sports Xchange
Denver Broncos executive John Elway (R) holds the Lombardi trophy with quarterback Peyton Manning in the background at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7, 2016. Denver wins Super Bowl 50 defeating Carolina 24-10. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 3 | Denver Broncos executive John Elway (R) holds the Lombardi trophy with quarterback Peyton Manning in the background at Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 7, 2016. Denver wins Super Bowl 50 defeating Carolina 24-10. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Peyton Manning, you've just won Super Bowl 50. What are you going to do?

Enjoy the championship and not be pressured into making a career decision.

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Denver Broncos football operations executive John Elway told the 39-year-old quarterback to take his time on deciding whether to come back another year or call it quits.

Elway said neither he nor the team would rush Manning into making a decision.

"There is no deadline. We'll let Peyton enjoy this," Broncos general manager John Elway said. "Eventually we'll sit down and talk to him. There is no timeline for this."

If there is any former player who understands Manning's dilemma, it's Elway, who retired after the Broncos won the 1998 Super Bowl.

"Important thing is, it's going to be his decision," Elway said. "Where we get a chance to sit down and talk to him, that's up to Peyton, where he is in that process, what he thinks he can ... what he wants to do from here on out."

The Broncos do need to figure out what to do with Manning's backup, Brock Osweiler.

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Osweiler is set to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 9 and several teams could be lining up to give Osweiler a significant payday.

Osweiler started six games this past season and went 4-2.

Even though Elway said there's no pressure on Manning, the team probably would like to know before March 9. His $19 million salary becomes guaranteed on that day and the total value of his deal could count $21.5 million against the salary cap.

Manning took a pay cut this season, but earned it back with $2 million bonuses for winning the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.

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