Colts QB Peyton Manning, Saints QB Drew Brees Want Exemption From Franchise Tags

An NFL source with direct knowledge of negotiations said Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints are requesting to be exempt from the franchise tag for the rest of their careers. That means Manning, who was tagged by the Colts before the lockout, wants to become an unrestricted free agent now. Brees' contract is up after this season. If you remember, just last week Manning and Brees, along with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, were calling on NFL owners to make a deal because the NFLPA's offer was fair. "We believe the overall proposal made by the players is fair for both sides and it is time to get this deal done," the statement read. "This is the time of year we as players turn our attention to the game on the field. We hope the owners feel the same way." When the 1993 antitrust lawsuit was settled, all the lead plaintiffs were exempt from the tag for their careers.

Source: Boston Globe

 

what a great union.

 

sit down girls, a guaranteed $20 million cant sting that bad

 

I think Peyton wants to have some security towards the end of his career and not face the possibility of being franchise tagged again in 2012.

 

security ? really ? he doesnt have enough already ? $20mil with the tag isnt security on top of security ?

 

No reason Brees should be tagged. He deserves a contract. Peyton is getting toward the end of his career, so I can see why the Colts would want to use it for a season or so, just to see if he improves from the 2010 season.

 

I'm talking about a multi-year contract.

Peyton never had to deal with any uncertainties regarding his contract. It didn't take long for him to sign his rookie deal in 1998 and his 6-year extension in 2004. This is the first time in his career that he's facing a possibility of becoming a free agent. The Colts tagged him but can't sign him to the deal until the lockout ends.

But now that Peyton is seeking lifetime exemption from franchise tags, the Colts must sign him to a long-term deal once transactions resumes.

I think he doesn't want to go down this road again in the near future.....he wants what is very likely his last big money deal.

 

Chris Mortensen: Twitter.com

 

i realize all of that but i hate when the word "security" is used for multi millionares.

 

If he put the word job in front of it, would that make it better? I can't really think of a better choice of words than that.

 

this is bullcrap, its allowing him to force the colts into a corner and stick them with a record breaking contract when its doubtful imo that hes gonna do anything besides regress as a player...not saying he still wont be a good QB but hes not gonna go forever and even in the last 2 years i think weve seen a drop off. exempting him from it because hes peyton manning would be dumb, its a ridiculous request...hes gonna be paid like $20 million a year under the tag even if he doesnt live up to the expectations hes set for himself...hes been among the highest paid players in the league since he entered it, he shouldnt be whining about the colts wanting to pay him a huge some of money without commiting the next 6 years to an old man at QB

 

Manning hasn't missed a start in his entire career. Quarterbacks can still have very productive careers into their late 30's and possibility 40's if healthy. I would still bank on Manning for another five-six years. They would be a borderline wild card contending team without him.

The Colts want to get something done and are still aiming to make him the NFL's highest paid player in league history. I don't think the Colts want Manning on the books at $20M this season with free agency on the horizon.

 

still he shouldnt be exempt just because he is peyton manning...thats horsecrap.

without manning right now they are a less than 5 win team, not borderline wc. Wed really get to see what caldwell has in him in that case. I know the colts want him, and need him, but he shouldnt be able to just say pay me the largest contract in the history of the sport as i get older and older and less dominant or lose me

 

That would also depend on his replacement....if it's Curtis Painter than I would consider the Colts a 3-13 club.

But if it's someone like Kyle Orton or Donovan McNabb....I could see Indianapolis at least compete for a wildcard spot.

Reggie White did the exact same thing 18 years ago. It's not unprecedented.

 

Screw'em. THis crap should be over and NOW they bring this personal crap up.

 

ummmmmm one HUGE difference there son - norman breman was using the tag while low balling him on a contract.

 

As much as Peyton is regressing, his presence alone adds about 6 wins to their total. Anyone suggesting that the Colts are elite, or even competitive, without Manning is ridiculous, because they haven't had a solid team around him since they won the Superbowl.

 

Peyton might be regressing talent wise (at a very slow pace) but he's still better than at least 28 QBs in the league...lol. His mental game will extend his career longer than the normal QB.

Having said that, $20M is security and he has no reason to snitch. The money he's making is going to be tops in the league for the next several seasons regardless of the tag or not.

 

im not saying that hes not still very good, or that they still dont need him very bad, or that they shouldnt keep him....however, i am saying i dont think he should be immune from it just because hes peyton manning....if the colts want to franchise him until hes dead they should be able to do it, peyton manning or any player shouldnt have the power over the franchise tag that eliminates the point of it.

i dont think peyton manning deserves a record breaking deal at this point in his career....a top 5 pay sure, but go figure top 5 pay and the franchise tag are pretty much the same.

 

^this...:icon_thumright: