Peyton Manning reveals stance on becoming NFL commissioner

Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning has no desire to succeed Roger Goodell as NFL commissioner. 

"I’m not qualified, in my opinion," Manning said on the subject while speaking with Mike Florio for an edition of the "Pro Football Talk PM" podcast. 

The former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos great then joked that Goodell has visibly aged in part because of stresses related to the job. 

"Roger looks a lot younger back in 2007 than he does now," Manning remarked about at least one picture from that time. "And it hasn’t been that long ago." 

The two-time Super Bowl champion spoke highly of all that Goodell has achieved over the years. 

"He’s done a heck of a job," Manning said of Goodell. "I’m not sure anybody wants to follow Roger Goodell as commissioner. It’s like following John Wooden at UCLA. The bar has been set high. Roger takes criticism, certainly. But I think he’s done a great job.

"That’s just not something that’s on my radar. Specifically, because I don’t think I’m qualified to do it." 

Back in 2013, Howard Bryant noted for an ESPN piece that Goodell, like all commissioners, is "nothing more than an employee of the owners." How Manning or any other former player would embrace such a role is unclear. 

It's also worth mentioning that Manning keeps plenty busy. For example, his Omaha Productions company is already set to continue the popular "Monday Night Football" "ManningCast" broadcasts that feature Peyton and Eli Manning through at least the 2024 NFL season. That doesn't include other projects tackled by the Manning brothers for ESPN and ABC. 

Last month, Charlotte Edmonds of NBC Sports Chicago pointed out that Goodell is under contract with the NFL until March 2024.