Colts Will Cut Peyton Manning
Added on Mar 06, 2012 by Scott in
No Comments
According to reports out of ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts have decided to part ways with franchise quarterback Peyton Manning and will make the announcement public at a press conference on Wednesday. Manning, who is still recovering from neck surgery and nerve issues in his throwing arm, was owed a bloated $28 million bonus which proved too costly for the Colts to absorb. Instead, they will wave goodbye to the four-time MVP and Super Bowl-winner.
The decision shouldn’t come as a shock considering Manning’s shaky health and the amount of cash it would take to retain him. Armed with the number one pick in April’s draft, Indy is expected to use it on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who has been pegged my most scouts, player personnel gurus and draft pundits to be a can’t-miss prospect, comparable to Manning himself when he entered the league in 1998.
Manning has every intention of resuming his playing career, despite rampant speculation that his future is in jeopardy due to slow-healing arm nerves as a result of multiple neck surgeries. He was spotted over the weekend at Duke University throwing the ball with increased velocity, which only added to the mystery of when or if he’ll return.
With Manning hitting the open market, it’s a foregone conclusion that a host of quarterback-needy teams will look to acquire his services, if he’s declared healthy enough to play. The Jets, Dolphins and Redskins have all been rumored to be interested in pursuing him in free agency, but they won’t be alone. Cleveland, Jacksonville, Seattle, Kansas City, Arizona, Tampa Bay and Minnesota could also enter the sweepstakes.
Manning will end his Colts career with 54,828 passing yards, 399 touchdowns, 11 Pro Bowl appearances and the MVP of Super Bowl XLI among the myriad of accomplishments he racked up in 14 seasons. The Colts would’ve preferred to get something in return rather than just outright release him, but under the circumstances had no alternative.
Source: ESPN.com
