While the issue of whether Peyton Manning would suit up again this season remained a great unknown until this week, it was always the team’s position that Manning would be back as soon as possible. Until now.
When asked about Manning’s return in 2012 as an Indianapolis Colt, Bill Polian said, “I don’t know the answer to that.”
“There are so many variables involved that it’s impossible to tell at this point in time. It’s our fervent hope that he is. But I couldn’t unequivocally give you an answer of yea or nay.”
That’s a significant step back from the support you’d like to see for a player that has done as much for this franchise as Manning has done for the Colts. More strongly, it is probably a signal that the Colts want to renegotiate Manning’s contract, which calls for a $28 million payment to him in early next year.
That is a lot of money to commit to a player who hasn’t taken a snap in a year, and who’s future health is unknown, but given what Manning has done for the franchise, business should be handled behind closed doors and the team should be saying, “We have every hope in the world that Manning will be back under center next year.”
Given the way the team has played without him, maybe Manning should be the one looking for a new home.
