Elway on Manning coming back: It's his decision

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway says it's up to quarterback Peyton Manning to decide if he wants to come back.

"The key thing is for him to want to come back, it's gonna be his decision," Elway said.

Elway, Broncos president Joe Ellis and head coach Gary Kubiak held their post-season news conference Tuesday.

Elway was asked three times about Manning's future.

Elway said there's no timeline for Manning to make a decision.

However, Manning and the Broncos have to make a decision before early March when the new league year begins and free agency starts.

"We're gonna give Peyton plenty of time to think about what he wants to do," Elway said.

Manning signed a 5-year, $96-million dollar contract with the Denver Broncos in 2012. He has one year left.

Last year, for the 2015 season, Manning agreed to take a $4 million pay cut.

However, ESPN reported that Manning was given a chance to recoup the difference in team-based incentives -- $2 million for the Broncos winning the AFC championship and another $2 million if they won the Super Bowl.

That means, even though Manning took a pay cut, he ended up getting his full salary.

If Manning returns for the 2016 season, he's contracted to make $19 million.