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Should Peyton Manning take a pay cut?

By Dylan Hughes

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are still awaiting the decision on whether the Denver Broncos will bring back Peyton Manning. If they do, should he take a pay cut?

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Looking at Peyton Manning’s numbers last season, it’s hard to argue he played poorly overall. His 39 touchdowns were good enough for second-most in the NFL, 4,727 yards good enough for fourth, and 101.5 passing rating also good enough for fourth. But still, as the season went on and the playoffs arrived, Manning’s true age began to show.

Whether it was age or his injury holding him back towards the end of the season, it’s hard to assume Manning will be the player he has been in the past. When the 2015 season begins, Manning will be 39 years old.

It is still unclear whether the Broncos will bring Manning back for next season, but if they do, they might ask him to take a pay cut.

Manning is currently making $19 million, and with Denver hoping to retain some of their big name free agents, a pay cut is necessary. Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post argues why Manning should indeed take a pay cut.

"That Manning wants to play football in 2015 isn’t the real question. The issue is how often he will play like a $19 million quarterback. Of course the Broncos want him back, but wouldn’t it be wise for Elway to ask Manning to play at a discounted price? Get inside the numbers and a smart football man would conclude it’s unlikely Manning can consistently play at an elite level. A pay cut of $5 million or so could help shore up a shaky offensive line, which might be money well spent by a 39-year-old quarterback."

Teams will often pay veterans on their way out of the league large contracts based on what they have done in their career, and in this case, Manning does deserve to be paid a lot of money. But he has made hundreds of millions of dollars in his career from both football and endorsements, and if making just $10 million or so meant a possible Super Bowl ring, Manning would be wise to restructure his contract.

Tom Brady did this just recently, making it so he will only make $8 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, and $10 million in 2017. This restructure freed up $24 million for the Patriots, who will now be chasing back-to-back Super Bowl wins next season.

In order to retain two of Manning’s favorite targets, Demaryius and Julius Thomas, taking a pay cut is necessary. If he would rather lose one or both of them this offseason and take his chances with a fat wallet, so be it.

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