Peyton Manning: If He Retired Now…

Reports are circulating that NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, who missed the entire 2011-2012 season due to an injured neck, is unable to throw the ball to his left and might be hurt worse than previously thought.

According to Business Insider, Mike Lombardi of the NFL Network told ESPN: “[Peyton] can’t throw the ball. I’ve talked to people who’ve caught the ball for him. He can’t throw the ball to his left. He can’t throw the ball across his body, because he doesn’t feel it. People that catch the ball for him say he doesn’t really have velocity on the ball yet.”

Still under contract to the Indianapolis Colts (the only pro club he has ever played for), Manning’s future seems to be getting darker by the minute. To avoid paying him the $28-million owed to him by next month, the Colts may cut him from the roster. If he's perceived as damaged goods, it is unlikely another team would pick him up unless they are desperate.

However, if his stellar career is indeed over, Manning would not only be a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer, but some even consider him the greatest quarterback in history.

As for the NFL record books, Manning is already in the top five of every meaningful passing category (usually behind Dan Marino and Brett Favre).

If Manning retired now, this is where he would stack up on the statistical board.

All-Time Passing Yards Leaders 1 Brett Favre (71,838) 2 Dan Marino (61,361) 3 Peyton Manning (54,828)

All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders 1 Brett Favre (497) 2 Dan Marino (420) 3 Peyton Manning (399)

Most Wins by Starting Quarterback

1 Brett Favre (186) 2 John Elway (148) 3 Dan Marino (147) 4 Peyton Manning (141)

Manning has also won four MVP awards, putting him at the very top.

Presumably, if he could continue playing, he could supplant Marino and Elway on some of the leader-boards, but it would likely be impossible for him to touch any of Favre’s career numbers.