Peyton Manning has spoken: the offer to become a commentator on ESPN's Monday Night Football came at the wrong time.
Manning attended Denver Broncos OTAs on May 30. He told The Athletic Broncos reporter Nicki Jhabvala, “It wasn't the right time this year.”
Peyton Manning attended Broncos OTAs today and spoke to a few of us after. Addressed a lot of things, including Monday Night Football … and the Yankees and Smashers …. pic.twitter.com/SNOyHDldEv
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 30, 2019
Manning reiterated his priorities as a family man to Jhabvala.
It's my second chapter if you will. Don't have that one-word job description, coaching, or broadcasting. I have just been kind of busy doing lots of things.
That's important to be able to go to those games…There's flag football on Sunday. Marshall (his son) is playing for the Rams. He has a game on Sunday at four.
Manning also dismissed rumors he's going to be the next general manager of the New York Jets. Manning told The Athletic, “I didn't volunteer for that. Somebody else volunteered that.”
Article Continues BelowDespite turning down the Monday Night Football job, Manning still wants to “stay connected” to the NFL in some capacity, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
Manning is the host of “Peyton's Places,” an ESPN+ show which chronicles the 100-year history of the NFL.
Peyton Manning says Monday Night Football job "wasn't the right time" this year … and that it might never be the right time https://t.co/DyB23BPAcB
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) May 30, 2019
Manning retired from the NFL in 2016. He threw for 71,940 yards, 539 touchdowns, and 251 interceptions in his 18-year career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. He helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI. He also helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.