Health is key to Peyton Manning's future

Although Peyton Manning had an early exit this postseason at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, the NFL Monday QB crew was impressed by the quarterback's performance under pressure all season. After a year off due to a nerve problem that weakened his throwing arm, Manning left his 13-year comfort zone in Indiana for a town that once belonged to Tim Tebow, and he stayed healthy enough to take the team to the divisional round. Yet the NFL Monday QB gang wonders how long his health will hold up. Will he get better under center or will he begin to deteriorate?

“I want to see if the health of Peyton Manning goes up another step from where he was this year,” Phil Simms said. “Will his arm show a little more pop so he can challenge defenses?”

"He'll throw the underneath routes, but he has one thing in his mind: ‘How can I go deep and get the quick score?' That's what he lives on.”

Regardless of his injury and early exit, Manning is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In terms of passing, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo all ranked ahead of him in the regular season, but none of them made it to the postseason. The only quarterbacks ahead of him who made the postseason were Atlanta's Matt Ryan and New England's Tom Brady.

“If he can stay healthy, I think he can put another run together for sure,” Steve Beuerlein said. “They won 11 straight games. They were hot, and they had all their guns going.”

Denver Broncos executive vice president John Elway says the team will pick up Manning's option for the next two years, according to the Associated Press. If Manning passes a winter physical, he will be paid $40 million for two seasons.

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