New Packers center Jeff Saturday called Peyton Manning as soon as he signed his deal with Green Bay, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Many expected Saturday to sign with whichever team landed Manning. But Saturday told the newspaper in a telephone interview on Saturday that the Packers were a better fit for him than the Denver Broncos would have been.

"Peyton is a close friend and I loved playing with him," Saturday told the newspaper. "I loved the time we spent together. It was the most difficult call I've ever made. I told him before anyone else that I was going to Green Bay.

"I told him I don't think the Broncos wanted me as much as he did. They've got things going on that they're happy with and are moving forward with and I didn't think it was an exact fit. I always felt like in Green Bay I was their very first choice."

League sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Saturday's deal is for $7.75 million, including $4 million in 2012.

The 36-year-old Saturday has started 188 regular season games in 13 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

He replaces former Packers starter Scott Wells, who signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent.

The addition of Saturday, with his experience in the Colts' complex offense, should make for a relatively smooth transition.