Report: Peyton Manning passes exam

— -- Peyton Manning passed his scheduled offseason exam on his surgically repaired neck Monday and has been medically cleared to play in 2014, the Denver Post reported.

Despite setting NFL single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns in 2013 with the Denver Broncos, Manning underwent the exam because it was mandated by his contract.

Monday's exam marked yet another step in a remarkable recovery by Manning, who underwent fusion surgery on his neck that weakened his throwing arm.

A five-time league MVP, Manning missed the entire 2011 season and was released by the Indianapolis Colts before signing a five-year, $96 million deal with Denver in 2012.

Sources previously had told ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen that if Monday's exam revealed an instability in the neck, Manning would have pondered retirement.

The 37-year-old Manning passed for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns this season as the Broncos went 13-3 and reached the Super Bowl, where they were routed, 43-8, by the Seattle Seahawks.