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Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and has stayed connected to the sport even after retirement — recently debuting a new ESPN+ show called Peyton’s Places, which details some of the league’s biggest moments, best personalities and all-time legendary stories to bring attention to the league’s 100th season. The future Hall of Famer has also been rumored to be interested in getting into the broadcast booth, but he’s refused offers at the moment because of loyalty to his brother, Eli Manning, and former teammates.
To say that life’s pretty great for Peyton Manning would be an understatement, as the guy can pretty much handpick nearly any job he wants in the NFL. Whether it’s a career in broadcasting or joining a team’s front office — which he’s been linked to in the past — nobody knows for sure what his next move will be. But one thing nobody should bet on? Coaching. That’s because Peyton himself said he has no interest roaming the sidelines, explaining that it takes a special kind of person in order to have success at it.
In an interview with USA Today Sports, Peyton talked about some of the potential opportunities he may pursue for his next career move, as well as the reason why he doesn’t think coaching’s for him.
“I haven’t really dismissed anything,” the former quarterback told USA TODAY Sports. “OK, I would probably say I dismiss coaching. I like teaching football. We have the football camp. it’s a great chance to teach football, teach about quarterback play. But a lot of people say, ‘You’d be a great coach.’ I’m not sure that’s true. Coaching, there are special skills there. Just because you were a good quarterback doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be a great coach.
“But sure, I haven’t dismissed anything. If there were an opportunity on the non-coaching side of it for a team in some capacity, wherever that may be, I’d certainly possibly have an interest in that. At the right time. And in the right place.”
The 43-year-old Manning doesn’t seem to be in any rush to get back into a full-time gig; nor should he be. With a ton of options at his disposal, he can enjoy time with his family and take on a variety of projects to get his football fix. And, while coaching doesn’t sound like an option for him, one thing he says he’ll refuse to do is tease anybody about a decision until he’s definitely ready to go in and be ready to commit to something.
“The thing that I hate doing, I hate sort of having this guessing game and leading anybody on,” Manning said. “I just don’t know right now. I know now is not the time.”
Peyton Manning is football royalty. He’s not only won two Super Bowls and set numerous passing records, but he’s inspiring a younger generation to learn from him, too. And, while he’s one of the more entertaining athletes out there — in a dry, dad joke kind of way — until he’s ready to make his next career move, he’ll just sit back and keep having fun.