Franchise owner Jim Irsay says he expects to make quarterback Peyton Manning the highest-paid player in NFL history, "perhaps in the five-year, $100 million neighborhood," according to the Indianapolis Star. Irsay discusses the importance of locking up Manning, who signed a seven-year, $98 million contract in 2004: "We know Peyton's going to be paid, along with (New England quarterback Tom) Brady, as the top in the league. But it's really important to make sure we get a deal that for the next four, five, six years works for the franchise." Irsay and his staff are in the midst of making long-term preparations as Manning is one of 19 Colts whose contracts expire after the upcoming season. If a new collective bargaining agreement is reached and players are unrestricted after four years in the league - it took six years this offseason because of 2010 being a year without a salary cap - 13 Colts would be unrestricted, the newspaper reports. The list of impending free agents, aside from Manning, includes several key starters: running back Joseph Addai; safeties Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt; linebacker Clint Session; place-kicker Adam Vinatieri; offensive tackle Charlie Johnson; and defensive tackles Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson. Source: Sporting News
Put Peyton #1. The other "key" free agents are replaceable via free agency and mid round picks. You don't replace a Peyton Manning.
I don't know, he was, but they keep giving huge contracts to stars over and over again. Too many players have claimed a bruised ego due to their salaries in comparison to once in a generation superstars. For me it's just a reason to demand more money an justify it, we shouldn't see the highest paid players change every single year based on new megacontracts.. **********Automerged Doublepost********** * "They" as in many teams, not just the Colts.
i understood what you meant. you didn't have to edit. and i agree but this is simply a result of skyrocketing contracts. it's inevitable that there will be a new 'highest paid' every year as these contracts get bigger and bigger all the time.
Hopefully after Peyton gets this contract Chris Johnson doesn't still hope to be the highest paid offensive player in the league.
hes great, o doubt...but it might be a little late in his career to make him the highest paid player and 5 years $100 million is a little steep. he signed that $98 million deal a few years ago and players like roethlisberger, eli, palmer, and rivers are all making in that range but they all have a big youth advantage on him
