Why Signing Peyton Manning Means Going for Broke for San Francisco 49ers

Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported that the teams involved in the hunt for Peyton Manning are willing to match the contract he had in Indianapolis, a deal that averaged $18 million per year.

After re-signing Carlos Rogers and cutting Shawntae Spencer, Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports the 49ers have approximately $23.5 million left in salary cap room. Depending how the Niners structure the contract, that leaves little leftover to bring in more free agents, and even less once you factor in signing rookies.

Bringing in Manning would also require finding a solid right guard and ideally another receiver. While it is feasible to bring in one more budget free agent to fill this need, it would be much more economical to find both in the draft. This is usually a poor strategy, but with the limited budget a contract with Manning would leave, it is the best option available. Unfortunately, executing it would require trading up into the middle of the first round where NFL-ready talent lurks.

The best players to take would then be either Georgia’s Cordy Glenn or Stanford’s David DeCastro. Trading up from late in the first to the middle of the round would come at a high cost and would likely involve a future first-round pick or more. I am never a fan of mortgaging the future, but this really seems like the best option in this scenario. After filling the need at offensive line, it would be much easier to find a capable wide receiver in the second round or later. Players like Reuben Randle, Nick Toon and Marvin McNutt come to mind.

The repercussions of Manning don’t stop there. With such a big contract and guaranteed to be back-loaded, the 49ers will be scrambling to keep their starters for years to come. Next year alone Isaac Sopoaga, Delanie Walker, Andy Lee, Dashon Goldson and Randy Moss will all become free agents. Not to mention NaVorro Bowman has already outperformed his rookie contract and is deserving of a contract negotiation.

All in all, signing Manning will cost $18 million per year, future first-round picks and the guaranteed loss of some irreplaceable starters in the years to come. However, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this would be an amazing 49ers team ready to make a run at the Super Bowl. The question is, do the 49ers want an excellent chance at the Lombardi Trophy this year, or a great chance for years to come?

We will just have to wait like the rest of the NFL until Monday or Tuesday, the self-imposed deadline when Manning will announce his decision.