End of an Era?

(denverbroncos.com)

After another disappointing playoff loss, is it time for Peyton Manning to hang up his helmet once and for all?

Manning was released from the Colts in 2012 following a spinal fusion surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2011 season. There was much debate then about whether or not he would be able to return to form, but the Denver Broncos were willing to take the risk and offered the then 35-year-old Manning a 5-year, $96 million dollar deal.

In three years in Denver, Manning has led the team to three consecutive AFC West titles and compiled a regular season record of 38-10. He was named the League MVP in 2013-- his fifth such award-- and broke records for touchdowns and passing yards in a single season on the way to his third career Super Bowl appearance.

Unfortunately for Manning, his regular season accomplishments have long been overshadowed by his postseason shortcomings. His record-breaking 2013 season ended in a 43-8 trouncing at the hands of the Seahawks, and he sandwiched the embarrassing Super Bowl defeat with two more "one-and-done" appearances in 2012 and 2014. He has nine such playoff exits-- a record among quarterbacks-- and now has a career 11-13 postseason record.

(Justin Edmons / Getty Images)

This past season was about as typical as it gets for Peyton Manning, for he mastered another record-breaking regular season (Manning broke the record for career touchdown passes) and still managed to be outplayed and upset at home in his one postseason game, sparking the rumors and whisperings that his perennial career may be nearing its end.

Of course, he did nothing to help his own case. In an interview after the 24-13 loss to the Colts, Manning was asked about his future and whether or not he would be returning next season.

His response:

"I can't say that. I could not say that."

In avoiding that answer, Manning displayed an evasive quality that he has simply lost on the field. He was never a "mobile quarterback", but of late he has looked mechanical and algorithmic. Without an ability to create and improvise after the snap he must rely on his pre-snap reads and on his ability to get the ball to his receivers. While his mind is fine and probably as sharp as ever, there is no question his arm-strength is a huge weakness to his game.

In the playoff loss, Manning went 2-12 on passes that travelled more than 15 yards in the air. Viewers at home watched many deep ball attempts fall harmlessly short or out of bounds. With no ability to go deep, and no ability to throw the ball outside the numbers, the defenses are having more success than ever against the aging quarterback.

Since the loss a few items have come to light that answer some questions and invariably lead to others.

First, it was revealed that Manning played the playoff game-- and the last three games of the regular season-- with a torn quadricep muscle that would have ruled most other players out.

Second, there seems to have been some dysfunction among the coaching ranks, as John Fox and the organization "mutually agreed" to part ways, just one day after the loss.

Said Elway of the coaching change:

"While we have made significant progress under Coach Fox, there is still work to be done. I believe this change at the head coaching position will be in the best interest of our long-term goal, which from day one has been to win world championships." 


What this means for Manning's return-- and for the rest of the coaching staff-- is very much an open book at this point. Elway's discontent seemed to spring from the lackluster finish, and one would assume that because the Coach took the heat that the quarterback would be safe. Denver's offensive and defensive coordinators are both interviewing elsewhere as this is published, and Del Rio is rumored to be very close to a deal with the Raiders.

If there is wholesale change to the coaching staff, it must be a good fit for Manning. But is Manning healthy enough to return and lead the team back to the playoffs?

Is there a coach out there that can take over this team without losing any momentum? Is a quarterback at the twilight of his career worth basing your entire coaching staff around?

These questions are just a few that loom over the franchise as they come to a fork in the road. John Elway should waste no time getting a staff in order, but his coaching decisions come down to Peyton Manning's decision, and it did not seem like Manning was ready to make it anytime soon.

In the meantime, Elway and his Broncos can sit back and watch the remainder of the playoffs and the nonstop press coverage on Manning and his future. There will be many pundits and anchors with opinions and criticisms, but one sound will be more alarming than even the harshest assessments.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. 

The clock is certainly ticking on Peyton Manning.

(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)