Broncos Rumors: Manning, V. Miller, Talib
In a press conference today, Broncos general manager John Elway insisted that there’s no timetable for Peyton Manning‘s retirement decision, and that the team intends to give him all the time he needs. However, that’s probably not exactly the case, writes Mike Klis of 9NEWS.
As Klis outlines, Manning’s 2016 base salary of $19MM becomes fully guaranteed on March 9th, so the Broncos will need a decision from their quarterback sometime within the next month. Having been unwilling to pay Manning a fully guaranteed $19MM salary a year ago, when he was coming off a solid season, the Broncos certainly won’t want to lock that amount in for 2016, so if Manning still hasn’t made a decision by then, the team would likely have to cut him. Of course, it’s hard to imagine the 39-year-old taking that long to decide on his future.
Here’s more on the Super Bowl champs:
- Elway said today that Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, two key free-agents-to-be, will be priorities this offseason, adding that he plans to start talking to their representatives right away (Twitter link via Lindsay Jones of USA Today). However, the GM did acknowledge that “it’s a fluid situation and our budget is only so big” (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post).
- The Broncos’ top priority this offseason figures to be retaining Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, and Elways said today that “the goal is always to get a long-term deal” (Twitter link via Jhabvala). Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap goes in-depth to explore what a long-term extension for Miller might look like.
- Meanwhile, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com says (via Twitter) that Denver should consider the exclusive franchise tag for Miller. Teams generally use the non-exclusive tag to franchise players, but that leaves the door open for another club to sign the player to an offer sheet. For most players, that risk isn’t significant, since a rival team would have to give up two first-round picks in addition to the big-money offer sheet, but an elite pass rusher like Miller might be worth it.
- A source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the NFL will consider suspending Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib for his dangerous – and intentional – face-mask penalty in the Super Bowl.
AFC West Notes: Chargers, Broncos, Raiders
Dean Spanos and San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer were scheduled to meet today in Spanos’ home, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Acee also reports the Chargers hired Fred Maas as a special adviser to Spanos, with the new hire being brought on to help the Chargers and San Diego place a measure on the November ballot regarding public funding for a new Chargers stadium.
Spanos wanted Maas to serve as the city’s liaison for stadium negotiations in 2014. After Maas withdrew his name from consideration, the Chargers’ chairman perhaps not coincidentally, expressed doubt to sources of Acee about a Chargers stadium solution in San Diego.
Special counsel Mark Fabiani will remain a part of these talks, Acee reports.
Here’s the latest coming out of the AFC West, starting with the Super Bowl champions.
- As father Bum Phillips would say, son Wade Phillips has finally “kicked down the door” with his Super Bowl win. The Broncos defensive coordinator helped to lead one of the league’s most fearsome defenses in 2015, but it’s a union that almost didn’t happen. Head coach Gary Kubiak‘s first choice for the job was actually Vance Joseph, formerly a Bengals assistant who recently left Cincinnati to become the Dolphins’ DC. In fact, John Clayton of ESPN.com hears there is a clause in Phillips’ current contract that could have made him a consultant if Joseph would have joined the team as coordinator in 2016.
- Von Miller is expected to receive the franchise tag, and Broncos GM John Elway is confident the sides can work out an extension agreement, Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press reports. “You never know, but we don’t want him to [leave]. We want Von to stay in Denver and we’re going to do everything we can to work it out,” Elway told media, including Stapleton. Miller, who will be 27 before next season, could command a deal potentially well north of the six-year, $101MM pact Justin Houston signed with the Chiefs last season. Houston’s negotiations became contentious at times. Super Bowl 50’s MVP told media, including Stapleton, he expects “peaceful” talks with the Broncos.
- Although Roger Goodell told media the league was working to help Oakland and San Diego find stadium solutions to remain in their markets, league executive VP Eric Grubman told the San Jose Mercury News (via Mark Purdy) he had not met with Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf and doesn’t have plans to do so. Purdy took Goodell’s brevity regarding Oakland the commissioner does not hold the Raiders‘ current troubles in high regard. Mark Davis confirmed the Raiders are negotiating another one-year lease at O.co Coliseum, but the Raiders are a bit behind the Chargers at this point in terms of finding a long-term solution in their city.
Zach Links contributed to this report
Peyton Manning Notes: Monday
Peyton Manning has an understandable exit path he could well take soon after claiming a second Super Bowl championship. But he did not want to rush to a decision Sunday night in order to not deflect any attention from his teammates and the Broncos’ third title, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.
The 39-year-old quarterback told media he’s following the advice of former coach Tony Dungy in not making an emotional decision, which, as Florio writes, would be to retire. The PFT writer notes Manning became emotional in an interview with CBS Sports’ Bill Cowher taped earlier in the week when the former Steelers coach broached the subject of being a good teammate.
Manning has one more season on his five-year, $96MM Broncos contract and would, as of now, occupy $21.5MM of Denver’s 2016 salary cap.
Here is more on Manning’s potential decision after he became the first signal-caller to start and win Super Bowls with two different franchises.
- Manning’s mother, Olivia, concurs with the popular notion he should walk away after 18 seasons, via Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. “I would like for him to retire,” Olivia Manning told Farmer. “I would. Physically, I just don’t think it’s worth going on. He won a Super Bowl — it’s the best way to go out.” This season marked the first time Manning missed games due to a non-season-ending ailment, with his partially torn plantar fascia costing him six games.
- The Broncos’ needing to re-sign Brock Osweiler will represent a component of Manning’s decision to retire, Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com writes. Osweiler, who went 4-2 for the Broncos in games he played throughout, is an unrestricted free agent, and Tandler doesn’t see the 25-year-old signing for anything less than $12MM per season. That figure would put him on par with the contract Nick Foles signed with the Rams last year and would be the lowest salary for a Broncos starter since 2011. Von Miller, Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan are also free agents who will see significant pay increases, either from the Broncos or other teams, so Denver will have to make tough choices. Tandler expects Manning to announce his retirement in “one or two” weeks.
- Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune wonders what’s next for Manning after getting ring No. 2. Souhan writes that watching Manning win the Super Bowl while completing 13 passes was like “watching Jimi Hendrix play the tambourine.” After the game, Manning made sure mention Budweiser-brand beer twice, which Souhan takes to be a hint of his future plans. NFL players are not allowed to endorse alcoholic products so one can infer that Manning no longer considers himself to be an NFL player.
- After winning the Super Bowl, Manning has no choice but to retire, Christine Brennan of USA Today opines. Manning didn’t play particularly well on Sunday night and he even acknowledged that it was his defense that willed the team to victory. “I was just glad I was on the same team as our defense and didn’t have to play against them,” he said. Manning, soon to be 40, went 13-for-23 for just 141 passing yards with an interception and no touchdown passes. Of course, there are also lurking HGH accusations stemming from a late December documentary, though Manning vehemently denies any involvement in using PEDs.
Zach Links contributed to this report
Super Bowl Players In Contract Years
On Sunday, we learned the potential fates of two upcoming free agents who appeared in the Super Bowl, as both the Broncos and Panthers intend to use the franchise tag on linebacker Von Miller and cornerback Josh Norman, respectively. While Miller and Norman were the most high-profile pending FAs playing in last night’s contest — they ranked first and fifth, respectively, in our most recent 2016 free agent power rankings — they aren’t the only players headed for the open market. 
Denver has a whopping 25 players set to hit free agency (nearly half its roster), while Carolina figures to have a bit less turnover, as it has only 16 pending free agents. The entire list for both clubs is below, with restricted free agents (RFA) and exclusive rights agents (ERFA) included (those labels are explained here).
Carolina Panthers
- Frank Alexander, DE
- Chris Scott, G
- Cortland Finnegan, CB
- Tyronne Green, G
- Stephen Hill, WR (RFA)
- Ben Jacobs, LB (ERFA)
- J.J. Jansen, LS
- Kyle Love, DT
- Josh Norman, CB
- Brad Nortman, P
- Mike Remmers, T (RFA)
- Amini Silatolu, G
- Charles Tillman, CB
- Mike Tolbert, RB
- Fernando Velasco, OL
- Joe Webb, QB
Denver Broncos
- C.J. Anderson, RB (RFA)
- Omar Bolden, CB
- Sam Brenner, C (ERFA)
- David Bruton, S
- Josh Bush, S
- Andre Caldwell, WR
- Todd Davis, LB (ERFA)
- Vernon Davis, TE
- Bennie Fowler, WR (ERFA)
- Ryan Harris, T
- Ronnie Hillman, RB
- Malik Jackson, DE
- Shiloh Keo, S
- Brandon Marshall, LB (RFA)
- Evan Mathis, G
- Lerentee McCray, LB (RFA)
- Brandon McManus, L (ERFA)
- Von Miller, LB
- Jordan Norwood, WR
- Brock Osweiler, QB
- Matt Paradis, C (ERFA)
- Tyler Polumbus, T
- Antonio Smith, DE
- Danny Trevathan, LB
- Kyle Williams, WR
Broncos Win Super Bowl 50
If this was Peyton Manning‘s final game, he went out on top. The Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 thanks in large part to their stifling defense —they allowed 315 offensive yards, but they sacked Cam Newton seven times and forced four turnovers. Von Miller posted 2.5 sacks (and was named Super Bowl MVP), DeMarcus Ware added two of his own, while Malik Jackson added a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Manning wasn’t great, completing just 13 passes for 141 yards and one interception, but the running game lead the way, as C.J. Anderson busted loose for 90 yards and one score.
Carolina certainly didn’t play poorly, especially on defense — they allowed just 194 Denver offensive yards, and sacked Manning five times. But Newton wasn’t at his best, completing less than 55% of his passes for 259 yards and one interception. Defensive end Kony Ealy was the star on the Panthers’ side, posting three sacks and one interception.
Both clubs have quite a bit on their plate as the offseason begins. The Broncos will wait to hear Manning’s decision on retirement, and then make their own decision on retaining him. Additionally, they’ll try to re-sign (or franchise) Miller, as well as find a way to keep Jackson. The Panthers, meanwhile, need to retain cornerback Josh Norman, and perhaps add more depth in the secondary and along the offensive line.
The offseason has begun! Who’s ready?
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Peyton Manning’s $2MM Super Bowl Incentive
The No. 1 storyline revolving around Super Bowl is undoubtedly the future of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, and whether he’ll choose to retire following tonight’s contest. Nearing age 40, Manning surely knows this is his last and best opportunity to win a second Super Bowl ring, and he’s obviously motivated to do so. But Manning also has a financial stake in the game, in the form of a $2MM incentive negotiated into his contract nearly a year ago.
In March of 2015, Manning agreed to a $4MM paycut, lowering his base salary from $19MM down to $15MM. However, Denver inserted clauses that allowed Manning to earn that money back: he’d get $2MM for winning the AFC Championship Game, and another $2MM for winning the Super Bowl. Obviously, he’s already secured that AFC title game incentive, and now the Super Bowl payday is on the line.
Needless to say, an extra $2MM probably isn’t needed to motivate Manning for tonight’s game (especially given that he’s earned nearly $250MM during the course of his career). Regardless, we’ll all be waiting to see if Manning announces his retirement after the Super Bowl, as he’s reportedly told friends that he plans to do. If not, however, he probably won’t be retained by the Broncos, and the Rams are one club that has discussed the possibility of pursuing Manning.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos To Use Franchise Tag On Von Miller
The Broncos plan to use the franchise tag on linebacker Von Miller and will then look to work out a long-term deal with him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). This news does not come as much of a surprise, as Jason Cole of Bleacher Report passed along a similar report at the end of last month, but as Miller is the best player eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, any reports regarding his potential fate remain highly relevant.
Miller has posted double-digit sack totals in four of his first five seasons in the league. In 2013, he was suspended six games for attempting to cheat a drug test, and he tore his ACL later in the season, limiting his on-field action to just nine games and his sack total to just five. But as Rapoport observes (via Twitter), Miller has matured a great deal since he decided to hire a life coach–a decision that implies a certain degree of maturity in and of itself–and at this point, it appears as though the star pass rusher’s off-field troubles are a thing of the past.
Denver, of course, might also consider using the franchise tag on Brock Osweiler, who did enough in his first shot as a starter this season to suggest that he could be the team’s long-term answer at the quarterback position. Apparently, however, the Broncos are more confident they can work out a contract with Osweiler prior to the new league year than Miller, who would have a case to become the league’s highest-paid defensive player if he were to reach the open market. In 2015, Miller graded out as the second-best edge rusher in the league out of 110 eligible players, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). And, unlike many elite pass rushers, Miller is not a liability in coverage, and he is terrific against the run, which only enhances his already considerable value.
The projected 2016 franchise tag value for linebackers is just north of $14MM. In negotiating a long-term deal with Denver, Miller would likely look at Justin Houston‘s recent six-year, $101MM deal with Kansas City–which included $52.5MM in guarantees–as a benchmark. Marcell Dareus, in his recent extension with the Bills, received $60MM in guarantees, a record for a defensive player that provides a reasonable target for Miller. As former NFL agent Joel Corry wrote back in November, Miller’s next contract will probably have an average annual value in the neighborhood of $18MM. Assuming the Broncos do, in fact, tag Miller, they will have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal.
Latest On Peyton Manning
As he prepares to make his fourth Super Bowl appearance this Sunday, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning‘s NFL future seems to be garnering more headlines than does the upcoming title game. Manning’s father — and former NFL quarterback — Archie Manning recently spoke on Peyton’s possible retirement, as did Peyton’s brother — and Giants signal-caller — Eli Manning.
Appearing on Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio, Archie Manning hedged a bit when asked if Peyton was fully committed to calling it a career after the Super Bowl. “Maybe not totally,” he said, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. “He probably envisions himself getting good and healthy. If he is good and healthy, can he play? I think he pretty much knows that it wouldn’t be with the Broncos and that would be another thing, to change teams.
“Now, he had some offers last year from teams, some teams talked to him,” Archie continued. “But I think that was going to be a lot of drama, again, to change teams, that he didn’t want to go through. He did do that once, so I don’t know that he would want to do that.”
The Broncos obviously haven’t said that they’d like to move on from Manning after this season, but given his declining level of play, his $19MM base salary for 2016, and the fact the club will likely attempt to retain backup quarterback Brock Osweiler, it’s not surprising that Manning doesn’t believe he’ll back in Denver next season. But Archie Manning did tell Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network that he expects Peyton to “leave a little avenue open” to playing next year, especially if he can regain his 2014 level of health.
[RELATED: Peyton Manning has told friends he expects to retire]
The fact that Manning “had some offers” from other clubs probably amounts to tampering, as Manning was still under contract with Denver throughout last offseason. He was asked — and agreed to — accept a $4MM pay cut, but given that he wasn’t released, other teams shouldn’t have been allowed to speak with Manning. But given that any such talks likely happened over a year ago (and had yet to be reported), no consequences will likely arise.
Eli Manning agreed with his father on the idea of Peyton playing in another city in 2016, telling Paul Schwartz of the New York Post that while he can’t speak for his brother, it “would be tough” to imagine Peyton joining another club (Twitter link). One team that has reportedly kicked the tires on the idea of acquiring Manning is the Rams, as the veteran quarterback would add a level of intrigue to a team set to relocate to Los Angeles in 2016.
Meanwhile, moving to a separate Peyton Manning story, Will Hobson and Justin Moyer of the Washington Post report that Manning hired private investigators to locate and interrogate the source of the HGH allegations levied against the Broncos quarterback. Manning apparently paid for a duo of investigators to speak with Charlie Sly, the pharmacist source in an Al-Jazeera documentary, five days before the documentary aired, and also sent a lawyer to the Guyer Insitute in Indianapolis to review he and his wife’s medical records.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
49ers Notes: Kapernick, Kelly, Norman
It’s anyone’s guess as to where Colin Kaepernick will be playing in 2016, says Tim Kawakami of The Mercury News writes. However, this much is clear: Kaepernick does not trust the Niners front office and the team’s top executives are not wild about him either.
Recently, a report out of New York indicated that Kaepernick could be a possibility for the Jets and Kawakami has heard for months that the Jets are a possibility for him. However, he has also heard that the Texans and Broncos could be other interesting potential landing spots, though he does not quantify either team’s level of interest. Of course, the Broncos have more pressing matters on their hands this week.
As we wait to see how things shake out with No. 7, here’s more out of SF:
- Three years ago, the Niners and Chiefs agreed to a deal that sent Alex Smith to KC in exchange for two second-round picks. At the time, however, Smith was at the zenith of his career while Kaepernick is trending downwards. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee ran down possible landing spots for Kaepernick, including the Jets, Browns, Broncos, Texans, and Eagles. Of course, Kaepernick could wind up staying put as well, but Barrows notes that new coach Chip Kelly has only spoken with the QB once since he was hired.
- The Niners own the No. 7 pick in the draft this year and many have wondered if they could make a play for Cal product Jared Goff. However, he has yet to talk to anyone from the Niners. “I get this question a lot,” Goff told Jeff Faraudo of the Bay Area News Group. “I literally haven’t talked to anybody. Zero people I’ve talked to.“
- Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, a pending free agent, has an affinity for the Bay Area, as Cam Inman of The Mercury News writes. The 49ers have tons of cap space this spring, but it’s pretty unlikely that Norman will reach the open market. The Panthers have the right to hit the cornerback with the franchise tag.
- 49ers tight end Vance McDonald is hopeful that Kaepernick can get back to his old form under Kelly, as Alex Marvez of FOX Sports writes. “I’m not saying we don’t all do it, but that guy just beats himself up over making a mistake harder than anyone else,” McDonald said. “I’ll be the first to always step up and say I’m right there in his corner. Any time he has a bad game or bad taste in his mouth or makes a bad play, I just want that guy to understand his potential because he can be a tremendous player.”
Danny Trevathan Believes He’ll Get Interest From Bears
Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan is set to hit the open market this spring and, when he does, he believes that his former coach will make a run at him, as Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post writes. Trevathan and John Fox have history from their time together in Denver and, if Sunday is his final game in orange, Chicago would be a logical landing spot for him. 
“Coach Fox is one of the guys that gave me the opportunity to showcase I can fit within the scheme,” he said. “I’m sure it’ll be there, I’m sure we’ll end up talking, but right now my main focus is this game. Whatever happens, happens. This game could make or break my contracts. It’s up to me to make the most of it.”
Trevathan was Denver’s leading tackler in 2013, but he registered just 11 tackles across three games for the Broncos in 2014 thanks to a left medial tibial impaction fracture. In 2015, Trevathan has looked like his old self. In 15 regular season contests (all starts), the inside linebacker recorded 109 total tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions – one of which led to a defensive touchdown.
A former sixth-round pick, the linebacker earned just $660K in 2015. Needless to say, Trevathan is looking forward to a contract that matches his performance. “We’re going to get paid,” said Trevathan in January. It remains to be seen how the market will unfold for the 25-year-old (26 in March), but Mike Klis of 9NEWS estimated that he will net a contract worth $3MM-$6MM annually. The Broncos will look to retain him, but other free agents like Von Miller, Brock Osweiler, and Malik Jackson are higher priorities. Meanwhile, backup inside linebackers Todd Davis, Corey Nelson, and Zaire Anderson could step up to fill the void if Trevathan goes elsewhere.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.