Peyton Manning is playing out the last year of his seven year, $98 million dollar contract. He’s the NFL’s only 4-time MVP and on pace to break nearly every quarterback record. He will ultimately go down as one of the best quarterbacks to every play the game.
Manning has led the Colts to seven straight 12-win seasons, a record streak could continue this year. At 5-2, Indianapolis has been forced to go deep into their roster to grind out wins. In each game, it’s been Manning that’s given the Colts a chance to win.
The QB has has to play without some of his favorite targets on offense, most evident Monday vs. the Texans when third-string running back Mike Hart started in Addai and Brown’s absence.
This last offseason he was hoping to sign his name onto presumably his last NFL contract—and the largest contract in NFL history.
Colts owner Jim Irsay has reiterated that he intends to make Manning the league’s highest-paid player. And rightfully so.
“The bottom line is we’ll get something done and when it happens just depends. I said he’d be the highest-paid player and he may already be if we go with the tag. I’d love to see him be here and break all those records as a Colt.”
This guy flat out gets it and I’ve never seen an athlete work harder at his or her craft. How refreshing to see a team shell out maximum contract money and the player earn every dollar? It doesn’t happen very often.
Without Peyton, this Colts team would be mediocre at best like the rest of the NFL. There’s something special in the Colts locker room, and it starts at the top.
From Jim Irsay, Bill Polian, Jim Caldwell to Peyton Manning, the culture is impeccable and the number one reason for Indy’s success this decade. It’s a special culture that is based on personal responsibility and “no excuses, no explanations.” Although the Colts are often criticized for how they handle things, I find it hard to criticize a system that works and is truly successful.
Colts fans and NFL fans alike must appreciate Manning for how he plays and not take his skills for granted because we probably won’t see anyone like him in our lifetime.
He commands the attention of his teammates and is a perfectionist. I’ve been fortunate to have the pleasure of watching #18 practice and it’s something very unique. He runs the offense at practice and it doesn’t conclude until Manning has checked everything off his list and is satisfied.
Manning has benefited from playing for the same team, in the same system with most of the same coaches for all 13 years. He has a fantastic worth ethic, combined with a wealth of resources and quality coaches. He is the reason the Indy has been successful and the success will continue as long as 18 lines up under center.
It was amazing to watch Peyton pick apart the Texans defense on Monday Night. He has seen everything in his professional career. Like Jon Gruden said on the broadcast, “why would you ever blitz this guy.” He knows the ins and outs of every defense and it showed in front of a national audience on Monday.
Peyton Manning will get his payday, but unselfishly elected to wait until the end of the season. He understands the distraction and does not want to deal with it during the year. He will get his money—it’s a matter of when not if.
Unlike most professional athletes, Manning will earn every dollar in this upcoming record-setting contract.