He’s traded the blue horseshoe for a white horse, but the result is the same: Peyton Manning will come gunning for the Patriots in 2012, this time as a member of the Broncos.

The NFL’s only four-time MVP informed the team he was directing his agent, Tom Condon, to commence contract discussions with Denver.

The Broncos will travel to Gillette Stadium to face quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots - Manning’s longtime rivals - this season. The schedule will be released in mid-April.

A contract shouldn’t take very long. Manning’s suitors, which included the finalist 49ers and Titans, knew it would take a deal that would pay Manning in the range of $90 million over five seasons.

Manning, who will turn 36 Saturday, has yet to speak publicly on his decision.

By picking the Broncos, whose efforts were headed by Hall of Fame quarterback and executive vice president of football operations John Elway, Manning passed up the chance to play for the 49ers, who are the closest to Super Bowl contenders.

The 49ers went to the NFC Championship Game with a much lesser quarterback, Alex Smith, have one of the league’s best defenses, and they recently added receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham to go with a good offensive line and standout running back Frank Gore.

Manning might not have wanted to go into a situation in which there would be “Super Bowl or bust’’ pressure, which San Francisco surely would bring.

Two factors thought to be at the forefront of Manning’s decision had to do with family. Manning and his wife, Ashley, have twins that will turn 1 next month. A cross-country move might have been difficult.

By remaining in the familiar AFC, Manning keeps hope alive for a possible Super Bowl matchup with his younger brother, Eli, who just led the Giants to a title over the Patriots.