We’ve got bad news for Reggie Wayne. Kerry Collins will indeed push Curtis Painter “aside like a dog” and Collins will get paid rather well to do it.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Collins will be paid $4 million this season. That is great money for a backup, and indicative of a player that will likely wind up starting some games.
Wayne asked: “Who says Kerry’s going to be the starter?” Just because we bring him in doesn’t mean he’s the starter.”
The answer: Team President Bill Polian says so. Polian confirmed Collins will start the season opener if Peyton Manning isn’t ready.
“All he has to do is get physically ready,” Polian said. “There’s no offense he can’t master in 48 hours from a conceptual standpoint.”
Polian didn’t even need to say it. The contract said it all.