The Indianapolis Colts are expected to designate Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning their franchise player Monday, a move that will cost a league-record $18.4 million.
President Bill Polian promised Sunday to tag Manning, the league's co-MVP, preventing him from hitting the free-agent market March 3.
"There is no question whatsoever," Polian said at the NFL combine. "The only question is what he'll be lined up with."
Manning's contract expired after last season.
NFL rules require teams to pay a franchise player the average of the top five players at the position, or 120 percent of the player's salary cap number from the previous year, whichever is higher. Manning counted more than $15 million against the team's salary cap last year.
Teams could still sign Manning to an offer sheet, but the Colts would have an opportunity to match. If Indianapolis chose not to match -- highly unlikely -- it would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Manning's agent, Tom Condon, said he expected the move.
"That's what Bill told me the last time we met," Condon said.
Condon would not discuss the negotiations, although Polian said he expected to meet with Manning's agent soon.
The move could force significant roster changes for the Colts, who reached the AFC championship game last year for the first time since 1995. Indianapolis lost to New England 24-14.
But the Colts must be in compliance with next year's salary cap of $80.5 million by March 3.
The Colts have already restructured the contracts of about a half-dozen players to free up space, and they can clear an additional $15 million by releasing offensive lineman Adam Meadows, defensive lineman Chad Bratzke and backup quarterback Brock Huard.
Polian said he would release Meadows, who started six years at right tackle before losing the job last year, and Bratzke. He said Meadows had already been given permission to speak with other teams.
Indianapolis could free up more money, possibly to re-sign Meadows, Bratzke and Huard, if they reach a deal with Manning before March 17. That would allow them to remove the franchise designation and likely lower Manning's cap number.
Owner Jim Irsay has promised to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, but Polian was pessimistic about the timing of a deal.
"I never expected it to go any other way," Polian said when asked if he thought it would be a race against the clock.
The Colts also have some other tough decisions.
Starting linebacker Marcus Washington and cornerback David Macklin, who moved into the starting job late last season, are unrestricted free agents.
The Colts also risk losing three other starters: offensive linemen Ryan Diem and Rick DeMulling and cornerback Nick Harper, all restricted free agents.
If the Colts are looking for sympathy, they won't get it from their AFC rivals.
"I just got off the phone with Tom (Condon) and I tell him to keep pushing it up," Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese joked Saturday. "I say 'More Tom, more. He's worth more than that."'
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President Bill Polian promised Sunday to tag Manning, the league's co-MVP, preventing him from hitting the free-agent market March 3.
"There is no question whatsoever," Polian said at the NFL combine. "The only question is what he'll be lined up with."
Manning's contract expired after last season.
NFL rules require teams to pay a franchise player the average of the top five players at the position, or 120 percent of the player's salary cap number from the previous year, whichever is higher. Manning counted more than $15 million against the team's salary cap last year.
Teams could still sign Manning to an offer sheet, but the Colts would have an opportunity to match. If Indianapolis chose not to match -- highly unlikely -- it would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Manning's agent, Tom Condon, said he expected the move.
"That's what Bill told me the last time we met," Condon said.
Condon would not discuss the negotiations, although Polian said he expected to meet with Manning's agent soon.
The move could force significant roster changes for the Colts, who reached the AFC championship game last year for the first time since 1995. Indianapolis lost to New England 24-14.
But the Colts must be in compliance with next year's salary cap of $80.5 million by March 3.
The Colts have already restructured the contracts of about a half-dozen players to free up space, and they can clear an additional $15 million by releasing offensive lineman Adam Meadows, defensive lineman Chad Bratzke and backup quarterback Brock Huard.
Polian said he would release Meadows, who started six years at right tackle before losing the job last year, and Bratzke. He said Meadows had already been given permission to speak with other teams.
Indianapolis could free up more money, possibly to re-sign Meadows, Bratzke and Huard, if they reach a deal with Manning before March 17. That would allow them to remove the franchise designation and likely lower Manning's cap number.
Owner Jim Irsay has promised to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, but Polian was pessimistic about the timing of a deal.
"I never expected it to go any other way," Polian said when asked if he thought it would be a race against the clock.
The Colts also have some other tough decisions.
Starting linebacker Marcus Washington and cornerback David Macklin, who moved into the starting job late last season, are unrestricted free agents.
The Colts also risk losing three other starters: offensive linemen Ryan Diem and Rick DeMulling and cornerback Nick Harper, all restricted free agents.
If the Colts are looking for sympathy, they won't get it from their AFC rivals.
"I just got off the phone with Tom (Condon) and I tell him to keep pushing it up," Tennessee general manager Floyd Reese joked Saturday. "I say 'More Tom, more. He's worth more than that."'
http://sfgate.com
