The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... So why is Manning continuing to delay the announcement of his decision to retire as a member of the Broncos? Possibly because he doesn't want to retire as a member of the Broncos. On Monday, agent Tom Condon told SiriusXM NFL Radio that Manning has told Condon, "I really like to play.'" On Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning that "in a perfect world" Manning would "like to keep playing."

Diehards Line: Indeed, that meshes with what PFT reported during the season. After exiting the lineup due to a foot injury that possibly wasn’t going to heal in time for Manning to play again in 2015, he intended to play in 2016. Circumstances have now changed, however. If he doesn’t retire as a member of the Broncos, it would be easy for him to return at any time. Maybe he finds a team in June. Maybe a spot opens in July or August. Maybe the quarterback of a contender gets injured at some point during the regular season. ... Whatever the case, Manning needs to tell the Broncos something before Mar. 9. It now seems safe to assume he's going to take it right out to that deadline.