Now that Peyton Manning seems to be getting closer to a decision (which may or may not be televised by ESPN), the numbers are coming into focus.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that the parameters of a potential contract fall in the range of $60 million over five years, with $30 million guaranteed.
That seems a little light. Yes, he has the neck thing and the arm strength thing. But this is Peyton F. Manning.
Peyton F. Manning doesn’t average $12 million a year, not when he was averaging $18 million under his last deal, the same average that Tom Brady still has.
And now we may know why it’s taken so long to get this done. The teams at the table, though supposedly willing to do whatever it takes to get Peyton, have not yet offered him a contract that reflects the zeal with which they are pursuing him.
With the rest of the league on notice regarding the parameters, the pool could once again expand.
Jed York, it’s your move.