The Peyton Manning offseason drama is just about over. According to a report from ESPN, Manning is close to taking a $4 million paycut to return as the Broncos quarterback for 2015.
This is what we expected. Seeing Manning limp off into the sunset after struggling down the stretch and losing to Andrew Luck and the Colts in the playoffs? Peyton can't go out like that.
He had made it clear he was ready to return. The Broncos made it clear they were ready for him to return.
"We're hopeful that Peyton comes back and we want him back. As I said after the season, we wanted him back -- and we still want him back," John Elway said at the combine. "He has not given me a definitive answer exactly what he wants to do but we’re hopeful he is going to come back."
But there were clear underlying issues with Manning's contract. Elway wouldn't delve into those ("The bottom line is I don't like to get into anybody's contract") but paying Manning $19 million for 2015 didn't look particularly attractive.
So now Manning will take $15 million for the season, per Chris Mortensen and Jeff Legwold of ESPN.
It's gonna be tough to feed his family, we know.
In all likelihood, there's probably some sort of hidden restructure here. Manning will "take less money" but get more guaranteed cash up front or have more money in 2016 guaranteed or get one extra Papa John's franchise added to his portfolio.
A key point here, honestly, might be that the Broncos can use that money to go ahead and lock down Demaryius Thomas. He's currently hitting the cap with a $12.8 million single-year deal and surely the Broncos would like to sign him long term.
Manning probably wouldn't mind some security for his top receiver either, especially since it would mean freeing up cap room to add more pieces and continue Denver's dogged pursuit of one last Super Bowl for their quarterback.
