Report: Broncos initially asked Peyton Manning to take $10-million pay cut

The Denver Broncos deny trying to trade quarterback Peyton Manning, but according to Mike Klis of 9News, they did approach him about taking a bigger pay cut.

Before settling on a $4-million pay cut, the Broncos asked Manning to reduce his 2015 salary by $10 million, Klis reports.

Benjamin Allbright of 94.1 FM in Denver reported Wednesday that the Broncos attempted to trade Manning to the Houston Texans earlier this offseason. The team responded, "Here's one for the record - The speculation is false, and your report is inaccurate."

A top-level Broncos source reiterated that statement, insisting the team never made a single call regarding a possible Manning trade and remained focused on bringing him back at a reduced salary, Klis reports.

Though Manning's new deal with the Broncos is technically a pay cut, he will reportedly have an opportunity to make up his lost wages if the team wins the Super Bowl.