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Peyton Manning Has One Big Problem With QBs Who Buy Their Linemen Christmas Gifts

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In recent years, NFL fans have gotten a peak behind the curtain at some of the things that quarterbacks due to improve their relationship with their offensive lineman. That often includes extravagant holiday gifts like the ones that Patrick Mahomes gifted his Chiefs teammates earlier this season.

Mahomes gave his linemen an incredible assortment of gifts that included a Rolex, Oakley sunglasses, luxury boots and a host of other items. And while those items are typically part of a partnership between the quarterbacks and various brands they represent, it’s still a pretty cool gesture.

However, during Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, Peyton Manning explained why he occasionally takes issue with some of the gifts from QBs to their linemen.

Peyton Manning Says Holiday Gifts To O-Linemen Must Be Earned On The Field

“It’s not a Christmas gift,” Manning said. “You have to block well to get a gift. A couple of years, we didn’t make the playoffs, I didn’t get my guys anything. Like, you didn’t block that well. So don’t feel obligated, quarterbacks, if your team didn’t make the playoffs, to get them a gift. That’s like a participation medal.

“Block well, and I’ll get you a gift. No wolf, no part. No playoffs? No gift.”

Manning’s comments came in response to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow buying his linemen authentic Japanese katana swords.

“Well, they wanted guns,” Burrow said of the gifts. “And I was like, ‘I don’t know about guns, guys.’ So, I was in the weapon mindset and [thought to myself], ‘What’s a cool weapon?’ And samurai swords, I think, are pretty dang cool.”

On one hand, the season runs through the holidays. So if you don’t get your guys a gift, maybe they get annoyed and let you get drilled. But otherwise, Manning makes a pretty good point. If you’re just letting me get beat up back here, why would you get a gift?

That mindset gifts linemen a pretty good incentive to keep you upright.