Manning, Broncos Make It Official

Added on Mar 21, 2012 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

After a whirlwind courtship, the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning have made it official. The Broncos have signed Manning to a multiyear contract that will net the quarterback upwards of $18 million a year for a total of $96 million. There’s language in the contract to protect the Broncos financially if Manning’s surgically repaired neck doesn’t hold out but for now everyone is keeping their fingers crossed.

Manning was introduced to the media by Broncos executive–and former MVP quarterback–John Elway. Manning said that he’s here to win more championships:

“I realize I don’t have 14 years left, by any means. This isn’t something where I’m just building a foundation to do something in two years or three years. This is a now situation. We’re going to do whatever we can to win right now. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”

Elway said simply:

“I believe that he’s got a lot of great football left in him.”

Asked about his physical condition Manning replied:

“I’m not where I want to be. I want to be where I was before I was injured. I have a lot of work to do in getting to where I want to be from a health standpoint and learning this offense. This is going to take a ton of work.”

Despite Manning’s neck issues and the big money riding on his performance Elway said that he doesn’t consider the move to be a risky one:

“I don’t consider it much of a risk, knowing Peyton Manning. I asked him, ‘Is there any doubt in your mind that you can’t get back to the Peyton Manning we know of?’ And he said, ‘There’s no doubt in my mind.’ ”

“My goal is to make Peyton Manning the best quarterback that’s ever played the game and he’s got that ability with the football that he’s got left.

“He’s a guy that raises all boats. He’s already made (his teammates) better, and they haven’t met him yet just because of the type of person he is, his reputation and what he’s done in this league. So, he’s just going to have a tremendous effect on the Denver Broncos.”

So Manning lands in the Mile High City and now the NFL world is waiting to see where the Broncos former starter–Tim Tebow–will end up.