Free agent quarterback Peyton Manning will sign with the Denver Broncos, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Terms were not immediately disclosed.
Following his release from the Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos were the first team that Manning met with, spending two days in Dove Valley, Colorado with executive vice president John Elway, general manager Brian Xanders, head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
Manning had subsequent visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers, but the Broncos have remained the front-runners for the services of the 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time NFL MVP who has passed for over 50,000 yards and 399 regular season touchdown passes. Denver has a solid defense and offensive line and showed a willingness last season to tailor the offense around the strengths of their quarterback.
Manning had already informed the Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks, who expressed interest in Manning, that he wouldn't be joining them. Both teams focused their quarterback search on Matt Flynn and Alex Smith, with the Seahawks signing Flynn and the Dolphins engaging in negotiations with Smith, who had hoped to return to the 49ers on a three-year deal before the start of free agency.
According to the report, Manning told Elway of his decision this morning and began informing the finalists of his decision.
The Broncos already have a high-profile quarterback in 2010 first-round pick Tim Tebow, who led the team to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs last season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Broncos will attempt to trade Tebow.
Tebow is under contract through the 2014 season and is scheduled to earn $1.15 million in base salary with an attractive cap number of $2.719 million this season. Tebow has has triggered base salary escalators in the final two years of his rookie contract that has added $5.425 million to his 2013 salary (which now stands at $6.055 million) and $6.415 million to his 2014 salary (which is now $7.145 million), which are not "backup quarterback" numbers.
source: Mac's Football Blog
author: Brian McIntyre
photo: Getty Images
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