Denver Broncos fans can come in off their mile-high ledge now.
The biggest formality of the NFL's offseason has come and gone.
Peyton Manning has been fully cleared following Monday's exit physical, a Broncos source tells NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. The annual checkup is mandated as part of the quarterback's five-year, $96 million contract signed in 2012.
Manning's clearance was first reported by Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
There was never any reason to believe Manning wouldn't pass the exam with flying colors. If there was any instability in his surgically repaired neck, he wouldn't have been cleared to play 19 games, including Super Bowl XLVIII just a month ago.
Manning revealed during the week leading up to the Super Bowl that he's felt as good coming off surgery as he ever has.
Now that the most overblown story of the offseason is out of the way, Manning's $20 million salary becomes guaranteed for 2014.
After setting a slew of single-season records last season, Manning will take aim at Brett Favre's career touchdowns record. He needs 18 more to stand alone at the top of the quarterback mountain.
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