The Facts:
Colts owner Jim Irsay said Thursday that he has issued an offer that would make the NFL's only four-time MVP the highest-paid player in league history, and hopes to finalize a five- or six-year contract sooner rather than later. "Negotiations are ongoing," Irsay said. "They're going well. My feeling is something will get done in terms of a long-term deal."
Reported by the Indianapolis Star News
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
In case you missed it, the Colts
placed the "exclusive franchise" designation on Manning this week to keep him from hitting the free-agent market. The franchise tag will pay Manning $23.1 million for 2011. A long-term deal would surpass the four-year, $72 million extension the Patriots gave Tom Brady in September. "The framework is out there," Irsay explained. "Brady and [Manning] have been compared to each other . . . (they are) bound at the hip. ... Brady's contract," Irsay added, "is done. I've made an offer higher than that contract. ..." For the record, Irsay believes Manning can play at a high level for another five or six seasons and would prefer reaching a long-term contract before March 3. That's when the league's collective bargaining agreement with the union expires. "The sooner the better, yes," Irsay said. "But if it doesn't get done before (March 3), we can get it done before (training) camp."
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