Hot reads: It's time for Peyton Manning to retire

Until we hear it definitively from Peyton Manning, no one can truly know what the Broncos' quarterback is thinking as far as his future is concerned. But the persistent speculation that Manning wants to play beyond this season is troubling.

At age 39 and out of the lineup for at least two more weeks because of a foot injury, Manning needs to do what he should have done last year: Call it a career.

He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer who has done just about everything imaginable in his otherwise brilliant 18-year career. But he has been dealing with injuries for two years in a row.

Look, it's hard for any athlete - especially the great ones - to know when it's time to walk away. They all want to keep playing as long as possible, especially because you can never go back. But Manning, who will miss a much-anticipated showdown against nemesis Tom Brady of the Patriots on Sunday night, needs to step away. There have been too many mentions of the twilight years of superstars Willie Mays and Muhammad Ali, when they hung on too long, for Manning not to heed the warnings that his best days are behind him and can never be recaptured.

Maybe he'll come to that conclusion on his own. Otherwise, the Broncos might do it for him, especially if Brock Osweiler, who did a solid job in last week's win over the Bears, can play well.

Is Manziel finished?

It was less than 19 months ago that Johnny Manziel sent the message that jump-started his career with Cleveland. As the Texas A & M quarterback slid toward the bottom of the first round of the 2014 draft, he sent the following text to Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains:

"I wish you guys would come get me. Hurry up and draft me because I want to be there. I want to wreck this league together."

Loggains forwarded the text to coach Mike Pettine and team owner Jimmy Haslam, and the Browns traded up from No. 26 to No. 22 to draft Johnny Football.

And it has been a nightmare ever since.

Manziel was slow to pick up the offense last year and couldn't beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job. His continued off-field issues, including a 10-week inpatient stay in a rehab facility earlier this year, have created so many distractions that the Browns are likely to get rid of Manziel in the offseason.

This past week, Pettine went back on his promise to have Manziel be the starter the rest of the season because the quarterback spent a portion of the bye week partying in Austin, Texas. Several photos of Manziel appeared on social media. This after Manziel promised he would not create any more distractions.

Manziel came into the league with plenty of doubts about his ability as well as his penchant for partying. While other noted quarterbacks, most notably Joe Namath, have had successful careers while still enjoying the night life, Manziel has shown a recklessness that the Browns realize makes it impossible for him to be trusted.

Pats can clinch

It's a foregone conclusion that the 10-0 Patriots will win the AFC East title. It's just a matter of when.

The defending Super Bowl champions can clinch the divisional title with a win over the Broncos and a loss by the Jets to the Dolphins. New England also can clinch if the Jets and Bills lose.

History has been kind to teams that clinch after 11 games. Since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, four of five teams that clinched their divisions after 11 games eventually reached the Super Bowl. Only one of those teams -- the 1985 Bears -- won it all. The other teams to clinch after 11 games: 1997 49ers (lost the NFC Championship Game), 2004 Eagles (lost Super Bowl XXXIX), 2007 Patriots (lost Super Bowl XLII), and 2009 Colts (lost Super Bowl XLIV).

Big numbers for Bryant

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”