Colts and Manning agree to Contract
 

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7135789

The Indianapolis Colts have locked up Peyton Manning to one of the most lucrative contracts in league history, SportsLine.com has learned.

According to sources closes to Manning, the quarterback and the Colts have agreed in principle to a seven-year, $99.2 million contract including a stunning $34.5 million signing bonus. The deal also calls for an extra $19 million in bonus money, in the form of roster bonuses of $9 million in year three and $10 million in year four.

According to the sources, the deal has not yet been signed but it has been agreed upon in principle. Manning has been traveling during the past couple of weeks -- Honolulu for the Pro Bowl, to Maui for the wedding of friend and former teammate Jim Finn, among other places -- but should put his signature on the deal Tuesday.

Calls to Manning have not yet been returned.

The structure of the deal helps the Colts by dropping Manning's cap number for the 2004 season from $18.4 million to a little over $8 million.

All I can say is wow!
What a great job by the Colts and Manning to come to an agreement that will allow them to keep one of the best QB's in the league and not have to gut the team to do so. After the roster cuts they made last week, they now have an extra $10 million in cap room to pursue free agents and re-sign Harrison. I also wouldn't be surprised to see some of the players who were cut last week to be resigned.
What does everyone else think? I think it was a lot of money, but seems to work out well to keep a good player where he belongs.

I'll be right back...I have to go change my underpants...

This is an un-fucking-believable contract. Of course, there are very few other players who you could argue desrve nearly this much money.

now why in the hell can't the niners and Garcia come to some kind of a deal where the numbers favor both parites.

anywho i am glad to be see one of the best compenstaed for his work on the field.

Can anyone explain to me how a contract with a $34.5 million signing bonus will only count $8 million against the cap?
It is nice to see a player get rewarded for their accomplishments, but he will never see all of that contract. It will get renegotiated after a couple of years, of they will trade or cut him, no matter how good he is. Just ask Stephen Davis.