Manning to Broncos Deal Finalized: Will the 49ers Have a Quarterback?
A new report has confirmed that Peyton Manning has sealed the deal with the Denver Broncos and is now an official member of the team. The news is likely to affect two other quarterbacks, who at some point before Manning became a free agent, had appeared as promising members to their team.
After weeks of fans wondering what team Peyton Manning would sign to after the Colts let him go, the quarterback made his final decision. Manning signed a 5-year, $96 million contract on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. A person familiar the negotiations came forward with the news Tuesday morning.
"The agreement ends a wild chase for perhaps the most valued free agent in the history of the NFL, a quarterback who has won an unprecedented four league MVP awards and took the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007," AP news reported. However, the end of agreements could also mean the end of two other quarterback's careers with their current teams.
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Last year's Tebowmania could now easily turn into a one-time wonder for the Broncos, who will be clearing up room on the team for Manning. The 49ers were also flirting with Manning, in attempt to strike a deal that would win the quarterback over to their team. After failed negotiations, the team will now have to face collateral damage and possibly ease over some open wounds with their current quarterback Alex Smith.
Smith is now slated as a free agent and with the Manning signing off with the Broncos, the team may be left without a quarterback.
"Smith spent several hours on Sunday talking with the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff," the ESPN reported after the Manning deal was leaked.
The 49ers have just come off a 13-3 season and were within three points of the Super Bowl. Despite the success and chemistry between teammates, the 49ers still sought out Manning. ESPN reporter Jemele Hill called that a bad play.
"Yes, the NFL is a business, but players still play on emotion and believe in naive principles. Smith's turnaround story is so rare, the 49ers owed it to him to show more faith in him than they did," Hill wrote.
A news conference has been scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Broncos headquarters, where Manning is to be introduced.
