Could Peyton Manning Become The Next Brett Favre?

Recently, it has been reported that the Indianapolis Colts will put the franchise tag on their future Hall of Fame quarterback.

The tag will pay Peyton Manning $23 million next season, assuming the NFL doesn't cancel the 2011 season with a lockout. He is entering his 14th season as the Colts' quarterback, so it may be too late in his career to think about a long-term deal.

In his 13 years in Indianapolis, Manning has never missed a start. He has broken many passing records and may break more before his career is done.

He has won a Super Bowl and lost one in which his team was favored to win.

Remind you of anybody you know?

Remember a time when Brett Favre was the most beloved athlete in America? Back then, he was a guy who quarterbacked his own way.

Anyone who has seen Manning call audibles like it was a game of charades knows what way he likes to play quarterback. Heck, I remember one time during the Colts' 2005 AFC Divisional Round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he waved off the punt team because he wanted to go for the first down.

I also recall seeing footage of him yelling at Jeff Saturday on the sidelines during a game when he suggested that Indianapolis should call some more running plays.

All of this makes you wonder what will happen in the coming years. Will Manning, like Favre, waffle through offseasons with the dilemma of whether or not to retire?

Will a Colts archrival like, say, the Tennessee Titans or Jacksonville Jaguars try to steal him like the Minnesota Vikings did with Favre?

Stay tuned.