# Peyton Manning to Retire?...... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 18, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943 "2012-01-18T21:50:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/1 "2012-01-18T21:50:57Z")
OK, I’m going out on a limb here, but I figured I’d run with the new thread in anticipation of the shit storm if this shakes out at all. Rob Lowe, yes frigging Rob Lowe, has reported [via Twitter](https://twitter.com/#!/RobLowe) that he’s heard that Peyton Manning is going to retire. Apparently Lowe and Irsay are good buddies and people speculate that Lowe might have access to this type of water cooler talk. PFT naturally is running with [the announcement](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/18/the-first-peyton-manning-retirement-report-from-an-unlikely-source/). And so the story begins. Expect the media storm to spread from here if there’s anything resembling meat on this. Presumably the “respectable” sports sites will hold off on spinning this until they’ve checked with a few sources, but it’s a matter of time before Mort and Schefter pop off, with or without corroboration, and then it will be tomorrow morning’s leading story unless they get some clear and strenuous denials. PFT is rightfully getting killed in their comments section for running such flimsy “news” and I expect a goodly portion of you to direct the same mocking at me here, and I’m sure it’ll be deserved. But, for no reason I can explain, I believe that this is true. I’ve been saying since the start of the season that Manning would never play again and that coming back would be nearly insane. Manning also probably realizes that taking that bonus in March would be crippling to the Colts and maybe he actually has some loyalty to them to do the right thing. Anyways, for what it’s worth, let’s have it. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/2 "2012-01-18T21:57:44Z")
Of course it’s only fair that I share this column on Bleacher Report in response to Lowegate. > **[Rob Lowe's Peyton Manning Retirement Tweet Causes Mass Hysteria on Twitter](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1029715-rob-lowes-peyton-manning-retirement-tweet-causes-mass-hysteria-on-twitter)** > > We have some breaking news to report: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is going to retire from the NFL . No, the news doesn't come from Adam Schefter... Probably on point, but I’m still buying this. Maybe my brain is broken, you’ll have to let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/3 "2012-01-18T22:04:17Z")
Given the fact that Payton’s older brother suffered a severe neck injury that ended his football career and it is a that known fact that he is really close to his family, it is entirely possible he could retire. But, the man could be an amazingly great coach/ offensive coordinator. In fact, as you probably all know already, this man has been the defacto OD for the Colts for years. He calls more audible from the line than anyone, even more than the genius who is Drew Bres. Can you imagine how kickbutt the Colts could be with Manning as OC? They get this kid, Andrew Luck, and let him play as a rookie. The first year 2013, the team wins 7 maybe 8 games. The next year 2014, watch out y’all. Under Manning’s tutelage, the Colts could be right back there. On the other hand, Indianapolis could be dumbasses and trade Manning to … uh… the Browns. Then, it is just craziness. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/4 "2012-01-18T22:11:15Z")
Seems like this should be easy enough to clear up one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/5 "2012-01-18T22:16:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Seems like this should be easy enough to clear up one way or the other. Yeah, me too. I will just call Archie and ask him. I don’t know Peyton well enough to just call. Fake ETA: OG, I wish I did know Archie. My father actually knew him, but he (Archie) doesn’t know me from a rat in the grass. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/6 "2012-01-18T22:30:21Z")
Sure didn’t take long for PFT to change their tune. > **[Peyton Manning's agent, father shoot down retirement rumor](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/mannings-agent-father-shoot-down-retirement-report)** > > We've established that Rob Lowe is buddies with Colts owner Jim Irsay. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/7 "2012-01-18T22:32:03Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > Sure didn’t take long for PFT to change their tune. > > [Peyton Manning's agent, father shoot down retirement rumor - NBC Sports](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/18/mannings-agent-father-shoot-down-retirement-report/) This at the end is pretty entertaining to watch: [#RobLoweIsReporting](https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23RobLoweIsReporting). Still, this part is true. [QUOTE=PFT] Let’s consider for a moment the very small possibility that Lowe is right. If he was right, we’d fully expect Manning’s father and agent to deny the story until Manning was ready to talk. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/8 "2012-01-18T22:38:25Z")
It’s pretty clear that the Colts are cleaning house- the GM and the coach are gone, and it seems probable to me that they’re going to draft Andrew Luck and make him the new starter ASAP. So, where does that leave Peuton Manning? Well, obviously, HE’S the only one who knows how his neck feels, and if he can still make the throws. If he can’t he defintely retires. if he Can, he’ll almost certainly play again for a few more years… but only on his terms. He’s too old to go to a lousy, rebuilding team. If he plays again, it will only be for a team that he thinks is strong enough to go all the way. ANd (importantly) for a team with a coach who’ll defer to him. How many teams are there that have 1. A lot of talent everywhere but at quarterback 2. A head coach who’d be willing to let Peyton be de facto offensive coordinator 3. A strong chance of making it to the postseason Among the teams that meet ALL those criteria… 1. Baltimore Ravens (especially if Flacco lays an egg this weekend) 2. New York Jets 3. Chicago Bears 4. Seattle Seahawks A few wild cards? Jerry Jones is flighty enough to decide, on the spur of the moment, that Tony Romo has had enough chances, and make an offer for Manning. The team that MIGHT be the very best fit for Manning is the Titans. They’re a strong defensive team that could easily win the division next year with the right quarterback, and he’d get to come “home” to his Volunteer fans! But I don’t think there’s any way the Colts would trade him to a division rival. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/9 "2012-01-18T22:45:40Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > In fact, as you probably all know already, this man has been the defacto OD for the Colts for years. All the rhetoric about how Manning is a virtual OC is a bit overblown. Yes, he’s a good QB and does make the players around him better. But he’s certainly not telling Jeff Saturday how to direct the o-line or coaching the receivers or backs on technique. Even on play calling, Jim Kelly did quite a bit more of his own calls in Buffalo. Manning gets 2 or 3 calls radio’ed in, from which he generally audibles. Love to see Manning gone and give Houston a couple good years of success, but I’m wary of that much good fortune. So, I’ll believe it when I see it. Can’t see Manning retiring, bad neck or not. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/10 "2012-01-18T22:49:17Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > All the rhetoric about how Manning is a virtual OC is a bit overblown. Yes, he’s a good QB and does make the players around him better. But he’s certainly not telling Jeff Saturday how to direct the o-line or coaching the receivers or backs on technique. Even on play calling, Jim Kelly did quite a bit more of his own calls in Buffalo. Manning gets 2 or 3 calls radio’ed in, from which he generally audibles. > > Love to see Manning gone and give Houston a couple good years of success, but I’m wary of that much good fortune. So, I’ll believe it when I see it. Can’t see Manning retiring, bad neck or not. Two things: First, thanks for not correcting my idiotic abbreviation of OD instead of OC. That was classy. Second, I did not know about the radioed in calls. Ignorance fought successfully, again. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/11 "2012-01-18T22:51:38Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > 1. New York Jets I don’t think this will ever happen, but it sure would be fun for the Jets-Patriots rivalry to have Manning and Brady on opposite sides of the field twice (or thrice) a year. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/12 "2012-01-18T22:52:43Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > How many teams are there that have > > 1. A lot of talent everywhere but at quarterback > 2. A head coach who’d be willing to let Peyton be de facto offensive coordinator > 3. A strong chance of making it to the postseason > > Among the teams that meet ALL those criteria… > > 1. Chicago Bears Wait, what? ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/13 "2012-01-18T22:57:03Z")
I mock you, **Omni**! How ridiculous! ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/14 "2012-01-18T23:03:53Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > I mock you, **Omni**! How ridiculous! hahahahahahahahahhahahahhaha OMG I am wetting myself. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/15 "2012-01-20T21:49:43Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Jerry Jones is flighty enough to decide, on the spur of the moment, that Tony Romo has had enough chances, and make an offer for Manning. Zero chance. No way does he go to the NFC East – that’s little bro’s turf. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_the_turtle/32/2926_2.png) [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/16 "2012-01-20T22:46:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > … > > 1. Baltimore Ravens (especially if Flacco lays an egg this weekend)… It’d be kind of ironic if Balt could steal something from Indy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/17 "2012-01-22T22:34:50Z")
My son is good friends with someone who has a good friend who is good friends with Peyton. According to my son Peyton isn’t coming back. Take that for what it is worth. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/18 "2012-01-23T00:50:20Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > My son is good friends with someone who has a good friend who is good friends with Peyton. According to my son Peyton isn’t coming back. Take that for what it is worth. Well shit, between you and Rob Lowe ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/19 "2012-01-23T00:52:37Z")
Are you suggesting that anonymous 4th hand reports on the internet aren’t reliable? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943/20 "2012-01-23T00:59:06Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > My son is good friends with someone who has a good friend who is good friends with Peyton. According to my son Peyton isn’t coming back. Take that for what it is worth. Thank you, Simone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peyton-manning-to-retire/609943.md?page=2)