Peyton may decide to return soon

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning won't keep people guessing on his future for long.

Manning could decide as early as the coming week that he is indeed returning for an 18th season, according to sources.

Manning has been fairly persuaded that all will work well between him and new head coach Gary Kubiak, who is ready and willing to fit his scheme to play to the quarterback's strengths.

Even though Manning attended the 50th Gatorade party late Friday night with several athletic icons, including New York Yankees great Derek Jeter, Manning will not announce he will be having a farewell season in 2015. That's not his style and he does not want to lock himself into a final year, yet.

Manning said this past Friday he met with Kubiak last Wednesday. While NFL rules limit the discussions between coaches and players at given points in the offseason, Manning said the two were essentially trying "to get to know each other."

Manning, who suffered a right thigh injury in the Broncos' win over the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 14, will have his annual checkup on his surgically repaired neck within 10 days of the start of the new league year, which begins March 10.

The checkup is to simply give the Broncos an idea of where Manning is physically after having spinal fusion surgery in 2011. In the first two years of Manning's five-year contract, there was some guaranteed money tied to the checkups, but not at this point.

Manning's salary for 2015 -- $19 million -- is guaranteed if he is on the team's roster March 9.

ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.