Jim Irsay Says He Wants Peyton Manning with the Indianpolis Colts – But for the Right Price
Jim Irsay told The Indianapolis Star that he wants Peyton Manning with the Colts, but there are some in the NFL that believe he’s not telling the whole truth. According to Heath Evans, who is an analyst with the NFL Network, it’s nothing more than a public relations battle. Evans said that Irsay may be a bit shamed at the fact that they’re considering not picking up Manning’s option when he’s the reason that Indy has a championship and that impressive stadium.
Irsay said that if Manning wants to be with the Colts, they can make it work. He said that if Manning can get healthy, then the team would look at a contract that would reflect the how the healing process would affect the nerve regeneration in his neck.
During the week of the Super Bowl, Irsay and Manning were back and forth. Now, the feeling with much of the NFL is that Irsay is trying to make sure the public knows that if Manning doesn’t stay, it’s only going to be because of Manning’s decision – and not his. There are plans for Irsay and Manning to meet next week.
Evans said that the way the Colts and Irsay have handled has been horrific. He said that Manning has turned Indianapolis into a football town and he’s done it with class, character, and dignity. Albert Breer, who is a reporter with the NFL Network, said that because Irsay choose to make these comments public, it could end up making Manning walk away. Breer believes that if the offers made to Manning were genuine, then they would have been made in private. In addition, the Colts have hired Ryan Grigson for the GM spot and Chuck Pagano as the Head Coach. They plan on drafting Andrew Luck out of Stanford come April and it looks like there isn’t going to be a place for Manning. Breer said he asked Tom Condon, who is Manning’s agent just that. Cordon told Breer that it sounded like pretty good logic.
