It’s not exactly breaking news that Peyton Manning’s contract will end after 2010, but that fact seems to have been lost in the shuffle somewhere.
NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi pointed out Thursday that the final two years of Manning’s deal (2011-2012) have indeed voided, as expected. He only needed to meet minimum playing requirements that were never in doubt.
This could make for a fascinating offseason for the game’s two best quarterbacks over the last decade. Tom Brady’s contract is also up after 2010, and an extension figures to be a priority in New England.
Lombardi guesses that Manning will make over $20 million per season in his extension. That’s double the annual pay of Brady’s last contract. Brady was amenable to a team-friendly deal last time, but how much less than Manning will he be willing to take?
The Patriots would be well served to wrap up Brady’s contract before Manning sets the bar at record levels.