The Great Debate

Maybe there will be more fantastic duels in the future between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Brady is doing his part to ensure continuity while Manning continues to contemplate retirement.

Brady, who turns 39 in August, has won four Super Bowls with the New England Patriots – the only team he has ever played for –and he agreed to a contract extension on Monday that would keep him with the club through the 2019 season. You will have Tom Brady to kick around for a few more years. Deflating, isn’t it?

Manning? He’ll be 40 later this month, and he clearly is not the same player he once was after several neck surgeries. His Super Bowl victory with the Denver Broncos in February was the second of his illustrious career and provides him with the opportunity leave the game he has played so well at the top.

Manning hasn’t given any public indication of his plans and his agent said that he too has had no inkling of what his client might wish to do. One would expect the Broncos need to know soon, as backup Brock Osweiler will be a free agent.
If Manning and Indianapolis Colts backup Matt Hasselbeck, 39, retire, Brady would be the oldest player in the NFL (barring kickers and punters). Looks good for his age, no?

Manning threw nine touchdown passes and 17 interceptions last season and his lack of arm strength led to a stretch where Osweiler replaced him. It’s difficult to imagine Manning wanting to leave the NFL after a season as a backup or as a nominal starter with limited physical skills.

Brady? He talks about playing into his 40s. And it appears he will do it.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman