Rams discuss Manning as 2016 option: Perhaps Super Bowl 50 will be Peyton Manning's final game in the NFL. Or, perhaps it won't be. If it's not, the soon-to-be Los Angeles Rams are considering the future hall of famer as an option at quarterback for 2016.
While Manning is still under contract in Denver for one more season, sources around ESPN's Adam Schefter don't expect the 39-year-old to return next season either because of retirement or Denver working out a deal to send him elsewhere.
According to Schefter, the Rams have been keeping a close eye on the Manning situation. If Manning does decide to play in 2016, then the Rams could pursue him.
Currently, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has named Case Keenum the starting quarterback entering the off season. Meanwhile, Nick Foles and Sean Mannion will be retained and will get the chance to compete for the backup job.
Rumor and speculation have surrounded Manning since the Broncos beat the Patriots in the AFC title game. After the game, NFL films caught Manning telling Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that this season could be his "last rodeo." Whether or not Manning will return could greatly depend on the outcome of Super Bowl 50. If he wins, he will undoubtedly call it quits and ride off into the sunset.
But if he loses, then it's not so clear. Maybe the desire to win one more ring would bring him back for another season. But with his injury history and clear drop in ability, perhaps Manning has already made up his mind regardless of Sunday's outcome.
Former NFL QB Stabler suffered from CTE: Another former NFL player has died and again reports have surfaced that the victim suffered from brain trauma.
Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler died in 2015 due to complications during his battle with colon cancer. But the doctor who examined his brain also revealed that Stabler suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a degenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head.
Boston University professor and doctor, Ann McKee, told ESPN's Outside the Lines Wednesday that it was clear that Stabler had suffered from stage three CTE and that the disease had spread throughout his brain.
"He had very substantial lesions. They were widespread. They were very classic. There was no question about the diagnosis," McKee told OTL. "And in some parts of the brain, they were very well established, meaning that he'd had it probably for quite some time."
Stabler's partner, Kim Bush, revealed that the former Raider had suffered from chronic headaches, forgetfulness and disorientation.
"We talked at length about head injury," Bush told OTL. "And he … he was certain that what he was suffering was the consequences of playing football. I asked him point-blank, "What are your feelings about that in terms of donating your brain for research and the science?' And that's the night he told me that, "Yeah, I definitely should do that, that's the right thing for me to do."
The NFL has taken measures to reduce the risk of concussions during games. But there's only so much the league can do to protect players in a physical sport such as football. Studies and reports of former players suffering from head trauma have caused some players to think twice about their future health.
Just last year, 25-year-old 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis abruptly retired after concerns regarding his future health.
"I'm simply doing what's best for my body as well as my mental health at this time in my life," Davis said in a press release following his decision.
If reports like Stabler's continue to surface, more players could take Davis' initiative and put their bodies and minds before the game of football.
