Colts QB Peyton Manning Resisting Efforts To Become NFL's Highest-Paid Player

In what is developing as one of the unique stories in a most unique NFL offseason, an injured Peyton Manning is resisting Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's attempts to make him the highest-paid player in the NFL, the quarterback acknowledged to the Indianapolis Star-News and reaffirmed to ESPN. A Colts source said Manning told Irsay a five-year, $100-million proposal that was heavily back-loaded in the final two years was not necessary to give him a $20 million average that no NFL player has ever attained. Manning is content with a salary equal to or less than what Patriots quarterback Tom Brady received in an $18 million a year deal in 2010. Irsay is trying to persuade him otherwise. Manning met with Irsay and team president Bill Polian on Thursday to communicate his feelings on the new contract and encouraged them to spend money saved on his potential deal to re-sign Colts free agents while building the team's talent level and depth chart. "While I appreciate Jim Irsay offering to make me the highest-paid player," Manning told The Indianapolis Star, "I told him I'd rather he save that money and keep whoever it is ... (running back) Joe Addai, (left tackle) Charlie Johnson... whoever that may be. I'm willing to take less than they've offered if they are going to take that money to keep players we need to keep and go get other players. All I want is for them to have the cap and the cash to keep the players they want to keep and to sign other players." The four-time league MVP backed up his words when he further redirected agent Tom Condon to be more conservative in negotiations in meetings with Polian about the contract, sources said.

Source: ESPN

 

What a class act. This is a real leader boys and girls. This just goes to show you Peyton is truly a TEAM FIRST player. Just awesome!!! :beer:

 

Yup now that is impressive. He just gained much respect from me it's not even funny. Many of those in the NFL should take note. I miss the days when many players were about loyalty, committment, and winning a superbowl. Most now don't care how many teams they play for as long as they get the big payday. What a shame there aren't more like Peyton in the NFL.

 

Not another like him...not one.

 

You're right, taking 18 million as opposed to 20 million is absolutely commendable.

 

Cantonize him! He's willing to settler for 18 million.
:rolls eyes:

 

A-freaking-men.

Don't get me wrong, Manning is a class act and one of the best guys in the league. But it's not like he's offering to play for the league minimum. What can you do with 18 million that you cant with 20? It's really not a big deal. Plus he makes up for it in endorsements.

 

he's well aware that he needs at least one more ring to be legendary

 

Actually it was 23 million.. How many players you EVER heard of that give up 5 mil. a year?