Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning — and he is still that — is a generous, generous man.
Peyton Manning ready to take $4 million pay-cut on deal in final stages; he'll make $15 million, not $19 million, per @Jeff_Legwold & myself
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 4, 2015
Manning’s agreement to take a pay cut is something that I don’t know if I would or could do personally, but most people thought this had to happen in order for the Broncos to be able to afford to address some needs they have on the offensive line and at other positions where in-house players are departing.
This potential pay cut comes at a great time for the Broncos, who haven’t even made any roster cuts yet and have opened up nearly $20 million in space after placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Manning’s pay cut is a selfless act for a player that is expected to be entering his final NFL season, and something that he certainly didn’t have to do but the Broncos convinced him they could make the necessary moves to be a Super Bowl contender yet again this season, and apparently he agrees.
This move ensures Manning will return for another season, obviously, and gives the Broncos a chance to go out and give it one last shot with the future Hall of Famer at the helm.
**UPDATE**
The Denver Broncos have indeed agreed upon a pay reduction for Peyton Manning in the 2015 season, putting his cap number at $15 million. The $4 million that comes off the cap can be earned back through incentives for Manning, so he still has a chance to earn all of that money anyway.
What a crazy world the NFL is. On the same day that Matt Cassel is acquired by the Buffalo Bills — who gave up two draft picks to get him — Manning takes a pay cut.
It’s days like today I’m glad to be a Broncos fan, no offense meant to Buffalo in the least. The NFL is a quarterback driven league, and the Broncos have arguably the best to ever play the position. Not the most accomplished or the winningest, but one of the greatest football minds to ever put on a helmet and pads.
That’s something we should all be proud of today.