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The Denver Broncos announced Thursday that quarterback Peyton Manning will be back for the 2015 NFL season after he passed his physical.
This was the only hoop left for Manning and Denver to jump through, as Manning's 2015 salary now becomes guaranteed . However, Manning accepted a $4 million pay cut Wednesday to give Denver more cap room to sign free agents.
Manning is recovering from a torn quadriceps muscle that plagued him down the stretch of his 18th NFL season, including during his woeful performance vs. the Colts in Denver's divisional-round loss. He finished second in the league in touchdown passes this past season with 39 and fourth in passing yards with 4,727 as the Broncos finished 12-4.
This means Denver will join New England as the prohibitive favorites to win the AFC next year with teams like the Ravens, Steelers, Bengals and Colts lurking, depending on how free agency (and the season) go for each.