Career Timeline of Peyton Manning: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Peyton Manning, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Peyton Manning, nicknamed "the Sheriff," is a retired American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the NFL. He spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos. Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, Manning comes from a football family, being the son of Archie Manning and brother of Eli Manning. He played college football at Tennessee, winning several awards and the 1997 SEC Championship.
1940: George Cafego drafted #1 overall
In 1940, George Cafego was drafted #1 overall in the NFL draft, before Peyton Manning.
1960: Manning Makes NFL History
In 2010, during his third game of the season, Peyton Manning made history as the first quarterback since 1960 to begin a season with three consecutive games of at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
1969: Last Time Seven Touchdowns Were Thrown
In 1969, before Peyton Manning's achievement in 2013, it was the last time an NFL player threw seven touchdowns in a single game.
1984: Tying a Record
In 1984, Dan Marino previously tied the record for passing for at least 400 yards in three games, a feat which Manning later matched.
1984: Manning Breaks Jim McMahon's Record
In 2009, during week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Manning broke Jim McMahon's NFL record of 22 straight wins with the Chicago Bears from 1984 to 1987, winning his 23rd consecutive regular-season game.
1987: Manning Breaks Jim McMahon's Record
In 2009, during week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Manning broke Jim McMahon's NFL record of 22 straight wins with the Chicago Bears from 1984 to 1987, winning his 23rd consecutive regular-season game.
1991: Most Passes in Opening Quarter Since 1991
In 2009, during a game against the Houston Texans, Peyton Manning threw a career-high 25 passes in the first quarter, which was the most in any opening quarter since 1991.
1994: First Collegiate Season
In 1994, Peyton Manning's first collegiate season, he completed 89 of 144 passes for 1,141 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
1995: 1995 Season
In 1995, Peyton Manning led the Vols to a strong season, which included a notable game against Florida where he threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns. They finished the season with a victory in the Citrus Bowl and ranked third nationally.
1996: 1996 Season
In 1996, Peyton Manning had a season that included a loss to Florida despite a strong effort, a loss to Memphis, and a Citrus Bowl victory where he was named MVP. He also completed his degree in speech communication in three years and announced he would stay at Tennessee for his senior year.
1997: 1997 SEC Championship Victory
In 1997, during his senior year playing college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, Peyton Manning won the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards, culminating in a victory in the 1997 SEC Championship Game.
1998: Drafted by Colts
In 1998, Peyton Manning was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall pick in the NFL draft.
1998: Manning's Rookie Season
In 1998, during Peyton Manning's rookie season with the Colts, he threw for 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns, setting five NFL rookie records. Despite his individual success, the Colts struggled, finishing with a 3-13 record.
1999: Manning's Success in 1999 Season
In 1999, Peyton Manning threw for over 404 yards against the San Diego Chargers and scored his first professional rushing touchdown. He led the Colts to an impressive 13-3 record, winning the AFC East division. Manning finished the year with 4,135 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors.
2002: Manning's 2002 Season
In 2002, Tony Dungy became Manning's head coach. Manning led the Colts to a 10-6 record and a playoff spot, finishing the season with 4,200 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. The Colts were defeated by the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round.
2003: Manning's 2003 Season Start
In 2003, Manning started the season with the Colts at 5-0, including a dominant win over the New Orleans Saints where Manning achieved a perfect passer rating and threw six touchdowns.
2004: Manning's Record-Breaking 2004 Season
In 2004, Peyton Manning achieved a record-breaking season with 4,557 passing yards, a 121.1 passer rating, and 49 touchdown passes. He was named the NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and received an ESPY Award for Best Record-Breaking Performance.
2004: Manning's 2004 Season
In 2004, Peyton Manning led the Colts to a strong season, marked by multiple AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards and an AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for November. He broke Dan Marino's record with his 49th touchdown pass of the season, securing the AFC's third seed for the Colts.
2004: Colts' 2004 Season Ends
In the 2004 season, Manning threw for 458 yards and four touchdowns in the Wild Card Round victory against the Denver Broncos. However, the Colts' season ended in the Divisional Round with a loss to the New England Patriots, marking Manning's seventh consecutive loss to them in Foxborough.
2005: Colts' Successful 2005 Season
In 2005, Peyton Manning led the Colts to win their first 13 games, including a victory over the New England Patriots, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Colts secured the AFC South and home-field advantage, with Manning's quarterback rating being the highest in the league for the season.
2005: AFC Divisional Round Game of the 2005 Season
In the 2005 AFC Divisional Round game, Manning faced a controversial interception call and a missed field goal, leading to a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a strong effort.
2006: Manning's 2006 Season
In 2006, Peyton Manning opened the season against his brother Eli and the New York Giants, winning the game 26-21. He threw for 400 yards against the Houston Texans and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
2007: Colts Season Ends Against Chargers
In 2007, the Colts faced the San Diego Chargers in the Wild Card Round, ultimately losing in overtime. Peyton Manning completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. Following the season, Tony Dungy retired.
2008: Manning's Comeback Victory in 2008
In 2008, Peyton Manning led the Colts to a comeback victory against the Houston Texans after trailing by 17 points in the last five minutes, marking the first time an NFL team had achieved such a feat in regulation.
2008: Manning Named NFL MVP for the Third Time
In 2008, Peyton Manning was named NFL MVP for the third time, tying Brett Favre for the most MVP awards in NFL history. He also led the Colts to a seventh consecutive playoff berth, winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in the 2008 season.
2009: Origin of "The Sheriff" Nickname
In 2009, Peyton Manning earned the nickname "the Sheriff," which originated during a Monday Night Football broadcast when analyst Jon Gruden highlighted Manning's use of audibles at the line of scrimmage on the road.
2009: Manning Awarded Fourth MVP
In 2009, Peyton Manning was awarded his fourth MVP, breaking the NFL record for most MVPs by a single player. He also tied his then NFL record with seven game-winning drives.
2009: Manning wins AFC Offensive Player of the Month
In 2009, under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Peyton Manning started the season with three consecutive wins and won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career. In week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, Manning threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns.
2010: Final Season
2010 marked the end of Peyton Manning's tenure as the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
February 15, 2011: Colts Place Franchise Tag on Manning
On February 15, 2011, the Colts placed their franchise tag on Peyton Manning.
July 30, 2011: Manning Signs 5-Year Contract with Colts
On July 30, 2011, Peyton Manning signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Colts.
2011: Breaking Touchdown Record
In 2011, Tom Brady previously held the record for most touchdown passes in the first three games of a season before Peyton Manning broke it.
March 7, 2012: Manning Released by Colts
On March 7, 2012, Peyton Manning was released by the Colts due to the team having the first overall pick in the upcoming draft and Manning being due a $28 million roster bonus.
March 20, 2012: Manning Signs with Broncos
On March 20, 2012, Peyton Manning reached an agreement with the Denver Broncos on a five-year contract worth $96 million.
2012: Joins Broncos
In 2012, Peyton Manning joined the Denver Broncos after being released by the Colts.
2012: Manning Debuts with Broncos and Achieves Milestone
In 2012, Peyton Manning made his regular season debut as a Denver Bronco, achieving his 400th career touchdown pass. He finished the season with franchise records for pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns.
2012: Signed with the Broncos
In 2012, after being released by the Colts, Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos, becoming their starting quarterback.
February 2, 2013: Manning Wins Comeback Player of the Year
On February 2, 2013, Peyton Manning was awarded the AP National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award, named a first-team All-Pro selection, and finished second in MVP voting.
2013: Record-Breaking Season
In 2013, Manning broke the record for most touchdown passes in a season with 51, later finishing with 55. He also broke the league record for passing yards with 5,477. The Broncos scored an NFL record 606 points.
2013: Seven Touchdowns Against the Ravens
In the opening game of the 2013 NFL season, Peyton Manning threw seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the sixth player in NFL history and the first since 1969 to achieve this feat in a single game. Manning did not throw an interception in the game.
October 5, 2014: Career-High Passing Yards
On October 5, 2014, against the Arizona Cardinals, Peyton Manning threw for a career-high 479 passing yards, tied his career-high with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and threw his 500th career touchdown pass.
October 19, 2014: All-Time Leader in Passing Touchdowns
On October 19, 2014, against the San Francisco 49ers, Peyton Manning threw his 509th career touchdown pass, becoming the NFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
2014: Career Touchdown Passes Record
From 2014 to 2019, Peyton Manning held the NFL record for career touchdown passes.
2015: Final Season with Broncos
2015 marked Peyton Manning's final season playing in the NFL, as a member of the Denver Broncos.
2015: Career Passing Yards Record
From 2015 to 2018, Peyton Manning held the career passing yards record in the NFL.
2015: Career Ends with Super Bowl 50 Victory
In 2015, Peyton Manning concluded his NFL career with a victory in Super Bowl 50, making him the first starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl for more than one franchise.
2015: Super Bowl Victory
In 2015, Peyton Manning's final season, he won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos, despite it being statistically his weakest season.
February 7, 2016: Super Bowl 50 Victory
On February 7, 2016, the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Manning became the oldest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl. The game also marked the final pass of his career.
March 7, 2016: Retirement Announcement
On March 7, 2016, Peyton Manning announced his retirement from the NFL after 18 seasons. Following his retirement, Manning received the 2016 ESPY Icon Award.
2016: Contribution to Jeb Bush's Campaign
During the 2016 presidential race, Peyton Manning contributed to the campaign of Jeb Bush.
February 2018: Sale of Papa John's Pizza Shares
In February 2018, Peyton Manning sold his shares of the Papa John's Pizza stores he owned.
2018: End of career Passing Yards Record
In 2018, Peyton Manning no longer held the career passing yards record in the NFL.
2019: End of career Touchdown Passes Record
In 2019, Peyton Manning no longer held the NFL record for career touchdown passes.
December 2020: Renewal of Peyton's Places and Founding Omaha Productions
In December 2020, "Peyton's Places" was renewed for a third season and Peyton Manning co-founded Omaha Productions.
2021: Hosting College Bowl Revival
In 2021, Peyton Manning hosted a revival of the quiz show College Bowl, with his brother Cooper as his "sidekick".
2021: Start of Manningcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+
In 2021, Peyton and Eli Manning began hosting an alternative broadcast of Monday Night Football called the Manningcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
2022: Renewal of College Bowl
In 2022, the College Bowl series hosted by Peyton Manning was renewed for a second season.
2022: Peyback Foundation Scholarships
In 2022, the Peyback Foundation teamed up with Georgia Tech to launch a scholarship in honor of Demaryius Thomas and launched scholarships at six historically black colleges and universities.
2023: Joining University of Tennessee as a Professor
In 2023, it was announced that Peyton Manning would join the University of Tennessee as a professor in the College of Communication and Information.
June 3, 2025: Joining Denver Summit FC Ownership Group
On June 3, 2025, it was announced that Peyton Manning would join the ownership group of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Denver Summit FC.
2025: Donation to University of Tennessee
In 2025, Peyton Manning donated $4 million to the University of Tennessee College of Communication and Information.
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