Peyton Manning: Will Manning's Unselfishness Help Colts in Free Agency?

It's hard to feel sorry for Peyton Manning, who "nobly" offered to take less money for the good of the team. Of course, less money happens to mean a 5-year $90 million deal that equals the yearly average of Tom Brady's 2010 deal.

So Manning isn't the first $20 million a year man. So what? He's still bringing in a boatload of cash and is far from being in a financial bind.

Manning's willingness to take a lesser deal does free up some options for the Colts, which could allow them to surround Manning with some sort of talent. The Colts have holes all over the field, but are always contenders because Manning helps to mask the shortcomings on both sides of the ball.

The Colts have the unique opportunity to rebuild before they fall apart. They drafted a left tackle in the first round and are looking to add talent to avoid a collapse after Manning—who has had two neck surgeries—decides to hang up his cleats.

No. 18 hasn't always had the best tools to work with. The injuries to the receiving corp allowed Jacob Tamme to break into the starting lineup for crying out loud. Despite playing behind a shaky offensive line, the Colts gave up the least sacks in the league.

Manning has already won a Super Bowl. If he wants to get back, he knows he can't break the Colts' bank by demanding that he be the highest paid player ever, though he is deserving of that designation.

The Colts have an aging defense and injury prone Bob Sanders is no longer with the team. They could use an influx of talent on both sides of the ball.

They are highly unlikely to be a major player in free agency, but they could still stand to add some talent to their offense and defense. Giving Manning more weapons offensively would make the Colts even more dangerous.

Given the amount of proven running backs still on the market, the Colts have to be thinking about snagging one to add to their offense. They could also use another receiver, as we all saw how scarce options got last season.

The defense is getting porous in a hurry as well. The Colts are about to undergo a serious hemorrhaging of talented veterans on the defensive side of the ball and have to prepare themselves for such a dumping of talent.

They aren't going to land the next Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis in this class, but they need to add depth up front and throughout the rest of their defense.

Their goal and focus has to be competing for a Super Bowl before Manning retires and keeping their team from slipping into squalor after "the Sheriff" skips town.

Manning made the right move by taking a slight contract hit. It's highly unlikely that he will see the end of his contract, which means his sense of urgency to win another Super Bowl is at an all-time high.

The past few years have proven he can't do it on his own. Hopefully for Manning, the Colts will be able to reward his unselfishness by bringing him some guys to help the team win.

Follow Kyle Vassalo on Twitter @ASU52