The parameters of the five-year, $90 million contract that Peyton Manning signed with the Colts in August are serving as the starting point for negotiations on his next NFL deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Manning’s contract is expected to include protections for a team in regard to his repeated neck problems, and the structure could vary from the original deal.

The Colts contract included $69 million in its first three years, coinciding with the final three years of the current NFL television deals. The presence of the $28 million option bonus after the first season provided the breaking point for the Colts to mitigate damage in releasing their franchise quarterback, which they did March 7.

– Albert Breer

Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer

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