Peyton Manning and Tom Brady Linked Once Again, This Time By Their Contracts

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning

The debate over who is the better quarterback, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, has been a popular topic at sports bars, cookouts and family reunions all over.  Just like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the two seem destined to be forever linked.  Brady and Manning didn’t exactly save their respective league as Magic and Bird did with the NBA, but they can probably be credited with ushering in the exciting, pass-happy, spread’em out brand of offense we are seeing now in the NFL.

Over the last decade or so, Brady and Manning have set the standard by which today’s quarterbacks are measured.  As if having championships, passing records, consistency, leadership, stud fantasy quarterback status and MVP’s in common weren’t enough, they now find themselves in precarious contract negotiations at the same time.  Both have contracts due to expire after the 2010 NFL season, and what would normally be a no-brainer extension for two elite quarterbacks has now become somewhat murky due to the ongoing CBA squabble.

The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts acknowledge the difficulties in working out such high-priced contracts in this uncertain CBA environment, but both teams have expressed confidence in getting something done with their two franchise quarterbacks.  In keeping with their personalities, neither Brady nor Manning have had much to say on the matter (there’s that darn link again).

The irony here is that both clubs may be waiting on the other to get something done with their respective QB before coming to terms with their own.  It isn’t uncommon for NFL teams to let another club set the bar and then negotiate with their player based upon those figures.

Rumors may be running around the Internet about Brady going elsewhere in 2011 because he feels slighted or wants to be on the West Coast, but I don’t buy it for a second.  The Patriots have been notoriously stubborn in inking new contracts, but losing a 3-time Super Bowl winning QB who is the most popular player in the history of the franchise would be the ultimate act of stinginess.

Chances are when the terms of the 2011 NFL CBA become more clear, each player will sign lucrative deals that make both sides happy.  And once again, Brady and Manning will have yet another link to pretend doesn’t exist.

Tweet This Post Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post