INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning has told close friends that he expects Super Bowl 50 to be his last game, according to NFL.com
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported the development on NFL Network's Super Bowl Live show Monday.
Peyton had previously been heard telling New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichik after the Denver Broncos' win in the AFC Championship that "this might be my last rodeo."
Rapoport's report all but confirms that the 39-year-old will call it a career after the biggest game in sports on Sunday.
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Manning, 39, is under contract for next season, but speculation has grown as to whether or not he would retire after lingering injury issues kept his performance down and forced him to miss six starts this season.
Even so, Manning has said he wouldn't make a decision about 2016 until the season is over. It just so happens Manning's season will end in storybook fashion with the biggest game of the year at Super Bowl 50 against the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.
Depending on the outcome of what will likely be the most-watched TV event in history, Manning could ride off into the sunset on top of the football world to cap a Hall of Fame career among the best ever, or even with a loss, Manning could still hold his head high knowing he overcame the adversity of his health to get to the biggest stage in sports for the fourth time, retiring with his legacy in tact.
Dave Furst took questions Live on Facebook about Peyton and the likelihood of his retirement. You can watch that in the video player above.
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