Peyton Manning contract affects the entire League
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Peyton Manning is already supposed to have a signed contract that makes him the highest paid player in the NFL . At least that’s what we heard from Jim Irsay back in March. But it’s July, we’re less than a week away from training camp, and the best player in the NFL doesn’t even have a contract.
The scene seems familiar: Manning didn’t have his $98 million contract finalized in 2004 until the season was well underway; but that was coming off his rookie contract . This time it’s different, now all of the NFL is waiting for and expecting a record breaking new contract from the Colts .
Sam Bradford’s new contract with the Rams guarantees $50 million, a record for a rookie, who has yet to even prove he can deliver on the field. Now Manning ‘s agent, who also represents Bradford, has to convince the Colts that their star quarterback is worth more than double that; because lets face it: he is.
Manning is the league’s only four-time MVP, he has taken the Colts to two Super-Bowls, and he is breaking every record in the books. On top of his greatness on the field, Manning shows he is just as committed off-field. He attends every team function, , pre-season work-out, meeting, and practice–whether it’s mandatory or not. And unlike his peers–Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick– Manning stays out of trouble.
Manning is constantly referred to as the guy who will be know as the “Greatest of All Time,” and Jim Irsay needs to make sure he’s paid like the greatest.
Even though most players don’t–and probably never will– match Manning‘s credentials, his salary will set the bar for every other player out there, and you can bet every one of them is praying that Manning gets a ridiculous amount so they can negotiate higher when their contracts are up for review.
But in the worst-case scenario that Manning doesn’t get his contract finalized in the next couple weeks, every fan and player will fear it means only one thing: lock-out. And with that we can all kiss the 2011 season good-bye since the NFL labor negotiations between owners and players is still uncertain.
The bottom-line is that everything football is riding on Manning ‘s contract: the season, the salaries, the players, and the fans.
Since 2007 season the Lovie Smith and his Chicago Bears have been all but a contending player in the NFC North Division. In fact, since their Super Bowl loss they haven’t even bothered to step foot on a field in the post season. Well all that may change or at least the Bears are hoping so with their most recent free agent acquisition. 
Unofficial reports have reported that Brian Kelly will be coaching the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame next year.
