4 Reasons Broncos' 5 Year, $90 Million Peyton Manning Offer Is Absurd

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Broncos have offered Peyton Manning a big contract:

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An NFL source said Manning and his camp have narrowed their choices to the Broncos and Tennessee Titans. The parameters of the deal, according to the source, that both teams are working off: $60 million total, give or take, and a $30 million guarantee, give or take, spread over five years.

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Certainly a lot of dough to invest in an already old quarterback, the Denver Broncos remain in a joust for Manning against the Tennessee Titans.

After how the 2011 season panned out, though, here are four reasons why this contract is absurd.

UPDATE: According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the previous offer for Manning was higher:

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My previously reported contract parameters for P. Manning were too low. Broncos, Titans, 49ers working off his old five-year, $90 mil deal

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 16, 2012"

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Age

Before the 2012 season begins, Peyton Manning is going to be 36 years old. A five year contract takes him through the 2016 season where he'll be 40 years old.

Yes, Brett Favre retired in his early 40s, however, Favre also played in 297 consecutive games and never had the health issues like Manning. In this case, we can only assume that Manning wants a deal that's at least three years.

Otherwise, why offer him five?

Health

Four neck surgeries. That's how many NFL MVPs Manning has won as well. Although, according to the article by Klis (sourced above):

Manning, who turns 36 on March 24, has been cleared to throw by his neck specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins.

Still, despite that he's been given the green light to sit back and work his throwing motion, Manning hasn't been under center in a real game since the 2010-11 AFC Wild Card game. A game against the New York Jets that the Colts lost, but Manning was sacked just once.

At that time, Manning was 34 years old and it was before three of his four surgeries. So, can we right now, really believe that Manning is in better condition health-wise?

Being almost two years older and three more neck surgeries later since his last time at the helm—health has to be concerning.

What About Tim Tebow?

For starters, Tim Tebow is is much better health and last season took not only the Mile High City, but the professional sports world by storm.

Denver was 1-4 when Tebow took over for Kyle Orton and then proceeded to help lead the Broncos to an AFC West division title. The Broncos also upset the defending AFC Champion-Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round before losing to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Now, before we get all amped up about Tebow winning games, don't forget about Von Miller and the defense, as well as kicker Matt Prater. All of whom contributed just as much, if not more than Tebow.

Also, Tebow finished the season with a 46.5 completion percentage and had 13 fumbles. Clearly the man has to develop, however, after the 2011 season he certainly is most deserving of an opportunity to open as the starter.

The sports world is anxious to see how Tebow performs with expectations and after an offseason to improve. He had literally, zero amount of pressure on him in 2011—let's see how Tebow responds in 2012 as defenses enter better prepared and after his offseason progression.

Not saying that Tebow is going to burn defenses or significantly disappoint, but he's simply earned the right to another opportunity.

Future Salary Cap Position

Okay, let's say that Peyton Manning has fully recuperated and even plays well in 2012. His health status is still going to be a concern and as we saw with Brett Favre, all it takes is one hit.

And if that one hit ends Manning's career early, the Broncos will have burned themselves in salary cap. Whether it's in 2013 or anytime thereafter, investing that much into a quarterback with health issues and already closing in on age 40, is beyond a high-risk situation.

The NFL at its core, is a business and although Manning would be good for business; remember how good Tim Tebow was for business? Tebow's marketability skyrocketed and we can expect the same from Manning.

However, what if Manning underachieves and the Broncos start off slow? As we saw in 2011 with Kyle Orton, Broncos fans hate losing.

And can the Broncos really afford to pay Manning big while Tebow starts?

From a salary cap perspective, Denver is getting ahead of itself with this kind of offer.

John Rozum on Twitter.