Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said Friday he hasn’t made up his mind about playing in 2015 but hopes to know soon.

“I’m still trying to take some time to evaluate some things,” Manning said after receiving the Bart Starr Award in Phoenix. “I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing. I’d like to make a decision soon.”

Manning said he has met and had dinner with new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak and will make his decision based on a number of issues, especially whether he can “help the team” win.

Manning said he also plans to sit down with general manager John Elway when he returns from vacation.

Manning, who turns 39 in March, had multiple neck surgeries before joining the Broncos three seasons ago. He has been checked every year to ensure that his neck can still withstand the hits.

The Broncos have requested that Manning let them know his plans by March 9 — the day before teams must exercise their rights on veteran players under contract. He is due $19 million next season.

—The Green Bay Packers fired special-teams coordinator Shawn Slocum on Friday.

Slocum’s units played a big role in the Packers’ 28-22 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 18.

The Seahawks fooled the Packers with a fake field goal in the third quarter, with punter/holder Jon Ryan throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Garry Gilliam.

After the Seahawks cut the Packers’ lead to 19-14 with 2:09 left in regulation, Green Bay was unable to corral an onside kick, and the Seahawks quickly converted that recovery into the go-ahead touchdown.

Slocum, the son of former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum, had been with the Packers since 2006, when Mike McCarthy became coach.

—The Tennessee Titans fired vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson on Friday, and general manager Ruston Webster said they will not replace him.

Webster said director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield and pro scouting coordinator Brian Gardner will report directly to him.

Dawson, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1994 to 1997, spent eight years with the Titans — the last three as VP of player personnel.

—Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said he is confident the team will be able to work out a deal that keeps wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the roster.

“We want to see Larry retire as an Arizona Cardinal several years from now — it’s not going to anytime happen soon, ’cause he’s still a great player on the field,” Bidwill told NFL Network. “I believe this is where he wants to be. It’s where we want him.”

The Cardinals are expected to ask the 31-year-old to reduce his $15 million salary in order to lower his $23.6 million salary cap figure.

“He’s had great conversations with (general manager) Steve Keim and with coach (Bruce) Arians as well,” Bidwill said. “I think it’ll all get worked out here in the next few weeks.”

—Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he would welcome back troubled wide receiver Justin Blackmon once he is reinstated by the NFL.

Blackmon has been on an indefinite suspension since Nov. 1, 2013, due to repeated violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

He also was arrested last July for possession of marijuana — his third arrest involving alcohol or marijuana.

He checked into a treatment center in September to address his substance-abuse issues, and he is expected to apply for reinstatement by the league.

“I’m very optimistic,” Khan told reporters Friday in Phoenix. “I think he’s paid his dues. I think he’s got his life together. I think he can be a role model for people who have gone through hard times. We’re waiting for him.”

—The Chicago Bears reached an agreement with Mike Groh on Friday, extending his contract to remain as the wide receivers coach.

Groh was the team’s receivers coach the past two seasons under former coach Marc Trestman.

Under Groh, the Bears have had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Alshon Jeffery reaching the mark in both 2013 (1,421) and 2014 (1,133) and Brandon Marshall reaching the plateau in 2013 (1,295).

—Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still and his 4-year-old daughter, Leah, who has been battling Stage 4 pediatric cancer, are releasing an animated book called “I Am Leah Strong” that will be available online next month.

Leah Still, who has inspired millions while fighting cancer, started a new round of chemotherapy on Friday. Her father said he received a lot of questions from other parents with kids fighting cancer about how their family has approached Leah’s treatment.

The book intends to teach other children about the importance of staying strong in their own fight.

—The downtown Atlanta stadium scheduled to open in 2017 will include a unique circular LED video display.

A “halo” board will measure approximately 63,800 square feet, which at five stories high is three times larger than any current display board in the NFL, and is the first of its kind worldwide to be used in a stadium, the Falcons said.

The retractable-roof stadium will be home to the Falcons, Atlanta’s new Major League Soccer franchise and other sports and entertainment events. The board will be located above the center of the field with a circumference of about 58 feet by 1,100 feet.