Irsay: Manning Will Be A Colt If He Plays In 2012

Added on Dec 22, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

More cryptic commentary on the future of Indianapolis Colts’ franchise quarterback Peyton Manning–this from team owner Jim Irsay. First, a little backstory–over the past few weeks the Colts and their various functionaries have released a number of statements about Manning. Some have been hopeful–that Manning was throwing the football in practice. Others have been pessimistic–that despite Manning throwing the football in practice he won’t be back in action this season.

So on Thursday Irsay had the following comments in an interview with the NFL Network:

“I think the situation is if he’s back and he’s healthy, I see him coming back and playing here. I think the hope is that his health is in the position where he could return again. That remains uncertain and that’s something that’s first and foremost on my mind.”

Translated–if Manning can play in 2012 he’ll be with the Colts. Of course the ‘elephant in the room’ is his ability to play at all. The Colts owe Manning a $28 million bonus early next year and Irsay says that won’t be a deciding factor in the team’s evaluation:

“I don’t see that being an issue. I paid him $26 million this season and he didn’t play and I knew it was an iffy situation. If he’s healthy and he can play, he’ll be back here.”

Irsay also dodged the big question about the NFL Draft–more specifically, would the Colts draft Stanford’s quarterback Andrew Luck:

“I’m concerned we came out and lost 13 games. We certainly were looking to do better. In terms of evaluating things, I think you have to look at the Texans. Last year, their coach was under great fire, Bob McNair stuck with him and now he’s very popular in Houston. So when the season ends, I will evaluate everything. You know I love continuity.”

Complicating the situation is the mixed signals sent by the Manning camp over his willingness to ‘mentor’ his heir apparent. Obviously the best case scenario would be Luck on the sidelines learning from a healthy Manning but that may not be an option. Indy is in action on Thursday night against the Houston Texans–the Colts are a -7 point NFL betting underdog in that game.