Colts Owner: Manning "Going To Be Highest-Paid Player In The League"

NFL News - February 2nd, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

It can be really easy to get shortsighted and focus on just this week with possibility one of the biggest Super Bowls in history looming.

But don't forget the storylines coming down the road.

The future of Peyton Manning is something that the Indianapolis Colts are going to have to address coming up with his contract running out in 2010, just before a possible lockout. And with the league bracing for an uncapped year next season, meaning teams are not obligated to keep the team's payroll under $88 million, Manning certainly won't go cheap.

But that won't deter Colts owner Jim Irsay, who says he's prepared to unload the mint on his franchise quarterback, who is already making $14 million a year. Whether or not Indianapolis wins on Sunday, retaining Manning is a top priority.

"We know that Peyton's going to be the highest-paid player in the league," Irsay said. "It'll get done. There's no question about that, and it's something we'll focus on in the offseason."

The highest season salary in NFL history was bagged by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who brought home $27.7 million in 2008.

Manning is likely to get a lot more than that, although the team hasn't even begun crunching the numbers. It probably won't take long to come to an agreement.

"Peyton's deal is not a hard deal," Irsay said.

With the uncapped year coming up, Indianapolis will have the luxury of shattering Eli's pay record because Peyton's play has already proven the team can cut costs in other places. He is one of the few game-changing quarterbacks that can succeed with any arrangement of players on the field, whether they be rookies or veterans.

Just this season, Manning was without no. 2 wideout Anthony Gonzalez after the first game because of a torn knee, and had to make due with rookie Austin Collie and sophomore Pierre Garcon. Collie was drafted in the fourth round, and Garcon was taken in the sixth.

Still, Manning threw for 4,500 yards and won his fourth league MVP trophy and has his team a big favorite over the New Orleans Saints in the championship. The Colts made the Super Bowl with the league's worst-ranked running game.

Listed on Bodog Sportsbook, Collie is projected to catch around four passes for 50 yards, according to NFL Player Prop Betting Lines. Garcon, who won the AFC Championship MVP award, is projected to be around four and 62.