Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning pump-fakes crowd into thinking he's announcing retirement

Published Mar. 3, 2016 7:28 a.m. ET

Andre Vergara

Peyton Manning is starting to make us think he really isn't done with football.

And he's definitely not done shilling for Papa John's pizza.

Manning thrilled a crowd at a speaking engagement in Jacksonville, Florida, on Wednesday night, opening his talk with an intro that must've had everyone reaching for their iPhones.

Peyton Manning opens by saying he has an important announcement to make: "Papa Johns is having 50 percent off." Also pic.twitter.com/gkJ1wfOmvr
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) March 3, 2016

Manning proceeded to captivate the crowd with his stories and then answered questions, though nothing about his immediate football future.

He did discuss his eventual post-football life, and didn't seem to have much of a plan.

And for a guy who just won the Super Bowl, he sure didn't gush about it. In fact, he talked about how tough it was to watch while injured last season and about his struggles with playing below the level he's used to.

Manning says that he was keenly aware of his strengths and physical weaknesses this past season. Had to shift... https://t.co/J3ZMWYOHYe
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) March 3, 2016

So what are we to think after this, and his agent's comments Wednesday that Manning "has not decided" on retiring?

Mere instinct here, but yes, to me, Peyton still sounds like a player focused squarely on his football career. https://t.co/nVOl5fRP0n
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 3, 2016

For what it's worth, Colin Cowherd says that while Manning clearly still loves the game and is reluctant to leave it, his decline pretty much speaks for itself. He needs to retire and he will.

Check out Colin's take in the video below.