ESPN's Chris Mortensen has reported that the Indianapolis Colts will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce the release of quarterback Peyton Manning. The move will save the team $28 million against the salary cap. Manning signed a 5-year $90 million deal last summer.
Since being drafted as the #1 overall pick in 1998 he has helped to turn a doormat into a perennial winner. The team's record during his tenure was 141-67, including a Super Bowl in 2006, only two losing seasons and had 11 seasons of 10 wins or more. In contrast before his arrival the franchise had two playoffs appearances and were 50-78 in the 8 seasons prior.
The atmosphere around the team became very tense after Colts owner Jim Irsay let go Bill Polian and his son Chris Polian, vice chairman and team president, respectively. Then followed by firing head coach Jim Caldwell which led many to believe that the moves were a way to clean house and start over. Irsay said during a news conference after letting the Polians go that "Just less than two years ago [we were] getting ready to play in the Super Bowl and go to Miami," Less than two years ago, cleaning off the confetti from the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's been a very sharp decline."
Many speculated what would the 35-year-old Manning do after witnessing the dismantling of team personnel he had known for years. One of those who chimed in came from the most unlikeliest of sources in actor Rob Lowe. Lowe tweeted that he had sources who said the All-Pro would be would be retiring.
The four-time NFL MVP missed the entire 2011 season due to a bulging disc in his neck which required numerous surgeries. That ended his active streak of games started at 208. His absence on the field showed as the Colts were 2-14 and during one stretch lost 13 games in a row. The team hopes to rebuild through the draft and that starts with the #1 pick which will presumably be Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck is rated the #1 draft prospect by ESPN's Mel Kiper.
The big question becomes if the Colts do release Manning where will he end up?
From The Sports Mind Of RB:
Everybody had to see this coming. There is no way the front office gets wiped out, the head coach gets fired and players get released with the the #1 pick looming that they would go in any other direction. Would I be shocked if they decided to keep Manning? No be but that dynamic with him trying to tutor a young Andrew Luck would be so tense to say the least. Another question would be why would they wait so long to make the decision? They had to exhaust every possible situation out there. Not only are they dealing with $28 million but he is also the face of the franchise. When people think of the Colts Johnny Unitas is not the first person that comes to mind. Good luck trying to fill those shoes. It won't be the same seeing him in another jersey.
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