Peyton Manning plans on returning next season to quarterback the Denver Broncos despite Super Bowl 48 outcome

Jan 26, 2014; Jersey City, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning addresses the media during press conference at the Cornucopia Majesty Ship. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Good news for Peyton Manning and Denver Bronco fans everywhere. According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, quarterback Peyton Manning plans on returning next season to quarterback the Denver Broncos despite the outcome of Super Bowl 48. Speculation has started to swirl around that Manning would retire if the Broncos won the big game, but the quarterback cleared any controversy about the topic via Mike Klis of The Denver Post:

"“I think when you still enjoy the preparation, the work part of it, I think you sought to be still doing that,” he said. “When I stop enjoying it, when I can’t produce, when I can’t help the team that’s when I’ll stop playing. If that’s next year, maybe it is. I certainly want to continue to keep playing.”"

Here is more from what Peyton Manning said about the speculation:

"I still enjoy playing football. I feel a little better than I thought I would at this point coming off that (neck fusion) surgery. I still enjoy the preparation part of it, the work part of it. Everybody enjoys the game. Everybody is going to be excited to play in the Super Bowl.”"

Peyton Manning has one game left in the 2013 campaign to silence his critics on the question: “Can Peyton win in the cold?” He certainly provided the proof against the Tennessee Titans in week 13 of the regular season where he completed 39-of-59 passes for 397 yards and 4 touchdowns. The games temperature was 18-degrees when they kicked off.

Manning is already guaranteed $20-million dollars for the 2014 season, here is more on the financial future for the star quarterback via Mike Klis.

"He’s coming back for the 2014 season. And then he has two more years on his Broncos’ contract, although his $19 million salaries in 2015 and 2016 are not guaranteed. But first there is one more game to finish up the 2013 season."

The Denver Broncos will continue their Super Bowl 48 preparation Monday as they head out for practice at the New York Jets facility.