Peyton Manning signs five-year, $96M deal in Denver

Peyton may have said it wasn’t about the money, but boy, he is getting paid.

After telling his agent, Tom Condon, to negotiate a deal with the Denver Broncos Monday, today he signed it to make it official.

Five-years, $96 million. A $19.2M average.

Manning was introduced Tuesday at a news conference that was standing room only.

Less than two weeks removed from his separation with the Colts, Peyton can’t be over his 14 years in Indy. And probably never will be.

Like his last deal with the Colts, the first year is guaranteed ($18 million) and if he passes a health test in March of 2013, he’ll receive $20 million for the season.

Free agency was all a bit new to him, after playing all 14 season in Indy.

Ultimately, it may have been John Elway who had the most influence on Manning and brought him to Denver.

He will continue to wear No. 18, but never look right without the horseshoes.