NFL: Breaking down the players to watch in the offseason

The NFL's offseason is at hand.

Last offseason, the DeflateGate scandal dominated the conversation and left little room for anything else. It's not quite gone, even now. But at least others can elbow their way into grabbing a sliver of the spotlight.

Here are the players who will be the talk of the offseason this time around:

Peyton Manning

The Denver defense carried the Broncos to a Super Bowl triumph and now Manning has his opportunity to make a glorious, John Elway-esque exit from the NFL. Manning said after the game he would not make an emotional decision. But during the season, he had suggested there might not be much more magic to be summoned from his right arm. The Broncos say they aren't rushing Manning into a decision. But his $19 million salary for the 2016 season becomes fully guaranteed March 9. That might form a deadline of sorts.

Manning's father Archie told the NFL Network on Sunday he believes that Peyton is done in Denver even if he isn't done in the NFL. The Los Angeles-bound Rams reportedly could emerge as an option for Manning if he wants to continue playing. But Manning has done so many things the right way during his career, and making a graceful exit from the sport would add to that list.

Even if he retires, however, Manning is likely to remain in the news because of the human growth hormone-related allegations he is facing. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday at his annual state-of-the-league address that the NFL no longer has an active independent investigation into the accusations but is working with other leagues and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Cam Newton

He has become a polarizing figure even in a season in which he emerged as one of the league's top quarterbacks and its most valuable player. The topics that seem to have grabbed the attention of the football-watching public in the Super Bowl aftermath are: Why didn't Newton dive immediately on the football he'd fumbled late in the game when the Carolina Panthers trailed by only six points? And why did he act the way he did during his postgame news conference? Newton attributed his postgame conduct to being a sore loser. Fine. It's okay to have a disdain for losing. But this is about professionalism: It's all part of your job, so take it all seriously. It's not a major offense. Newton presumably will learn his lessons. He will continue to mature. To expect perfection along the way is not realistic.

Tom Brady

The NFL's appeal of the federal judge's ruling overturning the quarterback's four-game DeflateGate suspension is scheduled to be heard March 3 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Brady and the New England Patriots faltered down the stretch in the regular season and lost the AFC title game in Denver. But the Patriots are likely to be back in the Super Bowl-contending mix next season. It's what they do. Whether or not they have Brady available to play the entire 2016 season could be a factor in how prominent they will be in the race for AFC supremacy.

Calvin Johnson

He had a productive season but then announced afterward that he is contemplating retirement. Such a great player walking away from the sport not far removed from his prime would be a significant development, particularly at a time when the toll that the game takes on its players is drawing so much scrutiny.

Johnny Manziel

It's clear that Manziel's stay in Cleveland is over. What's less clear is whether the Dallas Cowboys or any other team will be willing to sign Manziel. The first priority for Manziel and everyone around him should be getting his life in order. The bigger-picture view must be taken here. Manziel's personal and professional descent has been alarming. Someone needs to get through to him, and he needs to listen. More than an NFL career is at stake at this point.

Colin Kaepernick

It seemed at one point inevitable that Kaepernick, the former Super Bowl starter at quarterback for the 49ers, would make his exit from San Francisco this offseason. Enter Chip Kelly. Did the hiring of Kelly as the Niners' coach change the equation for Kaepernick in the Bay Area? That remains to be seen. Kelly has made no firm commitment yet. But Kaepernick does appear, at least at first glance, to have a skill set compatible with Kelly's fast-break offensive system.

Von Miller

The Super Bowl MVP is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. The Broncos almost certainly will not permit Miller, one of the league's most productive pass rushers, to hit the open market. But keeping Miller happy perhaps should be a goal. That would mean a multi-year deal rather than a one-year, franchise-player arrangement. And it undoubtedly would mean a mega-contract.

Josh Norman

The standout cornerback for the Panthers likewise is eligible for free agency. And Norman, like Miller, is in line to receive a huge contract if he is not franchise-tagged. Life is not always easy for the Super Bowl loser. Getting Norman contentedly under contract would make things a bit easier for the Panthers.

Robert Griffin III

Does anyone still remember when he was one of the NFL's rising stars? Griffin at least managed to recede to the background this season in D.C., generally avoiding controversy while Kirk Cousins established himself as the clear starter at quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Moving on will be best for both Griffin and the Redskins. Releasing Griffin is the team's only real option. It must avoid paying him the $16.155 million due to him for next season under the option year in his rookie contract exercised by the Redskins. No team would trade for Griffin and inherit that contract. There is an NFL future for Griffin. Finding out exactly where that will happen will be interesting to watch.

Brock Osweiler

He took over for Manning as the Broncos' starter at quarterback for a portion of the regular season. It seemed to be Osweiler's team until Coach Gary Kubiak abruptly went back to Manning during the regular-season finale. That does not change the fact that Osweiler is likely to be the Broncos' quarterback going forward. But first, there is offseason business to be conducted. Osweiler has reached the end of his rookie contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency. The Broncos have only one franchise-player designation to use and will have to use that tag on Miller if they cannot get him signed first. So that complicates the Osweiler situation for them.

LeSean McCoy

The running back for the Buffalo Bills faces legal issues for his alleged role in an altercation with off-duty police officers in a Philadelphia nightclub. A possible suspension by the NFL under its personal-conduct policy could follow. McCoy parted with the Eagles on less-than-amicable terms with Kelly. His first season in Buffalo was far from glorious. Now things seem to be getting worse for him.