Peyton

Manning

The absolutely loaded 2021 class also includes Calvin Johnson. Alongside fantasy legends Manning and Megatron, DB Charles Woodson, S John Lynch, OG Alan Faneca, WR Drew Pearson, executive Bill Nunn and coach Tom Flores will also be enshrined. One of the greatest players in league history, Manning also helped fundamentally change the way the game is played his hyper-accurate, precision passing.

Since retiring in 2016, Manning has bounced from organization to organization informally taking notes on how teams are operated, particularly with scouting. There have been a few reports of Manning having offers to be a general manager, although the future Hall of Fame quarterback denies that a written offer has never been presented. It’s clear that Manning has some degree of interest in an executive role, but it’s unclear if he’ll actually accept a position at any point in the near future. People around Manning believe he’d be better as a general manager than as a television analyst because of how much he likes being hands on. He will likely have offers to go in either direction for the next decade. In the meantime, Manning has commercials to film.

If you own Ty Law in IDP leagues, be sure to start him, as he owns seven of those picks. We really don’t expect Manning to continue to struggle this badly against New England, but neither will he have his best game.

Quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James and the No. 1 offense are slated for a heavier workload, perhaps playing a good way into the second quarter.

Consider the place he’s saying it, but Manning was quoted saying, ''I want to be a Colt for life, and so they’ll start doing that probably maybe next year, the year after. . . . You do what you can to help build the team around you, to keep some of the good players and get some new young players.’'

We doubt they’ll play much. A scheduling oddity has them facing the Broncos, their most likely playoff opponent, at the end of the season for the second straight year. The Broncos punked the Colts late last season before getting embarrased in the playoffs. It could happen again.

Manning is an unrestricted free agent, but there doesn’t appear to be any chance of this deal not getting done. The team could also franchise him, but that would cost $18.4 million against the cap this season, so a long-term deal would make more sense. Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James are both free agents after this season. Keeping all 3 may prove difficult.

Colts fans everywhere should be crossing their fingers because their team’s depth will seriously suffer if a deal is not reached. Manning is currently the Colts franchise player.

The contract is worth $99.2 million over seven years, including a $34.5 million signing bonus. Manning’s per-year average salary will be $14.17 million, the highest ever by far. The deal helps Indianapolis’ salary cap flexibility this offseason.

Manning threw a touchdown to Troy Walters on his first drive. Atlanta linebacker Michael Boley intercepted him on Manning’s only other drive of the game.