That priority is QB Peyton Manning, and while Mathis is a Ring-of-Honor, remember-him-when-his-career-is-done, key-to-the-era player, Manning is not only all of the aforementioned, but he's the player by which the current era is defined. And more importantly, Manning not only is still in his prime, and likely to define the franchise for another half-decade, his contract will define the Colts' salary cap situation if and when the cap returns, which it almost certainly will when the NFL owners and players solve their current labor standoff.
All of which makes a new deal for Mathis this off-season seem pretty unlikely.
Still, while that's true, so is this:
The reality is that while Mathis not being in OTAs is surprising and certainly not ideal, it's equally true that it likely won't be a long-term, season-altering issue.
Whether or not Mathis gets a new deal by next season, he isn't likely to miss time in training camp, and certainly isn't likely to miss time in the regular season.
In fact, it's likely he will attend next weekend's mandatory veteran mini-camp.
And either way, as one of the most experienced veterans, and as a pass rusher, he won't be hurt much by missing camp. Second-year defensive coordinator Larry Coyer knows what Mathis can do, defensive line coach John Teerlinck has worked with him long enough to know well his strengths, and no matter how much off-season conditioning Mathis misses he's unlikely to report to camp out of shape.
Were Mathis a young offensive player trying to establish timing with Manning, this might be a reason for concern. As an experience pass rusher who knows well how to pressure quarterbacks, it seems more like an off-season blip that shouldn't affect the Colts on the field much at all next season.
In the end, Mathis likely will get a few weeks rest, and he'll likely report to camp with the contract he has now.
But he'll almost certainly report to camp, and when he does, he won't likely report better or worse because he missed a few weeks of OTAs.
Comments
Pretty good coverage, although I think you should have added something to the affect of, "Where was Mathis in the Super Bowl? If he wanted a new deal, maybe he should have shown up for that game."
Just my opinion though.
Yes, I agree Steve. Freeney got to Brees with one ankle. What was Mathis's excuse?
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