USA TODAY International Edition
What’s next for NFL?
5 questions for the offseason,
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL offseason begins in earnest with questions swirling like Super Bowl XLVI confetti around the champion New York Giants on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It’s fitting that the biggest issue of this post- lockout offseason starts with a Manning. Except that question centers around Peyton, not the 2011 season’s last Manning standing, Peyton’s two- time Super Bowl MVP younger brother, Eli.
If and where the iconic Indianapolis Colts quarterback will play next season is the most compelling topic in the run- up to the draft April 26- 28.
The league’s only four- time NFL MVP could become the biggest free agent ever after he made it clear during Super Bowl week he intended to play again after missing the 2011 season following neck fusion surgery. The quarterback, who turns 36 on March 24, has received medical clearance to play again from Robert Watkins Sr., the doctor who performed his surgery Sept. 8.
Manning has not been cleared by Colts doctors, however, as he waits for nerves in his throwing arm to return to full strength.
On the clock with the No. 1 overall pick, the Colts are expected to select Stanford’s Andrew Luck and aren’t likely to exercise the $ 28 million option due Manning on March 8. That could put Manning in play for quarterback- hungry teams such as the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins or even the New York Jets, who might seek a veteran upgrade after Mark Sanchez regressed in his third season. Colts wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon will be unrestricted free agents if the Colts don’t place the franchise tag on the younger Garcon.
Four other burning questions this offseason:
Quarterback Drew Brees is an unrestricted free agent, but he said he would be “beyond stunned” if he was not back with the New Orleans Saints when the free agent signing period begins March 13. Expect a deal commensurate with Peyton Manning’s five- year, $ 90 million extension last summer. It is key that owner Tom Benson greenlights the signing of Brees before free agency starts so general manager Mickey Loomis can use the franchise tag to lock up one of two free agent priorities, guard Carl Nicks or wide receiver Marques Colston, to best help Brees lead his team to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.
Where will Green Bay Packers free agent backup quarterback Matt Flynn land? Kevin Kolb signed a six- year, $ 65 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals after a trade July 29 from the Philadelphia Eagles. Flynn’s agent is likely to seek that kind of deal, with Miami a likely front- runner considering former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is the Dolphins’ new head coach. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton also are unrestricted.
Will Wes Welker be back with the New England Patriots? It probably will come down to money. Welker’s late drop in the Super Bowl was a costly, uncharacteristic mistake he said he would spend the offseason living with. Tom Brady said he loves Welker. But with Brady 0- 2 in his last two Super Bowls and 6- 6 in his last 12 postseason games with 17 interceptions, the Patriots sorely need an infusion of big- play receiver speed. How high will owner Robert Kraft be willing to go for Welker?
Human growth hormone testing remains the elephant lurking in the offseason room. Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week that he was optimistic an agreement would be reached with the NFL Players Association. Talks continue, but the union still questions the fairness and accuracy of testing.
The other key matter is whether a rules tweak in last summer’s new collective bargaining agreement made to spur more movement for top restricted free agents will work.
In the past, if a team pursued another restricted free agent after three years of service, the compensation was first- and third- round draft choices. Maximum compensation has been changed to a first- round pick if a team doesn’t match the offer.