Colts seek Peyton Manning replacement while keeping him on active roster – NFL News
Indianapolis Colts are weighing to find a new solution to Peyton Manning issue; to keep Manning on their active roster and draft a new quarterback in April next year.
Colts chairman Bill Polian said that the money was not an issue to come in the way of the Colts to keep Peyton Manning, whose career has become doubtful due to his neck injury, on their active roster while seeking his replacement.
He said that the money would not deter them from drafting a new quarterback in new draft season when it starts in April 2012 but it was to make sure that they find a right player to replace Manning at quarterback position.
Colts chairman told a radio programme that the Colts were in position to keep Peyton Manning on their active roster for another season, season 2012, and at the same time use their new draft pick at his position without compromising
on competitiveness of the game.
Polian said: "The payment to the first-round draft choice is far less than it was under the old (collective bargaining) agreement, so you could afford that," Polian told a caller. "I'm perfectly fine with that approach."
While it has been confirmed officially again by Colts chairman that they surely were looking for a Peyton Manning's replacement, many believe it still would a costly decision for them in terms of money.
They cited Peyton Manning's $90 million five-year deal he signed with the Colts in July this year. He has not played or practiced since. Under the agreement bonus a payout of $28 million is due to be paid to the player in February
next year (2012), about two months from now.
They are also being projected to spend a similar amount on signing a new draft. During current season, 2010, the highest paid draft pick for quarterback position was handed over a cheque of $22 million for signing the Carolina
Panthers.
Contrary news have been coming out about the injury of Peyton Manning; some giving his fans hopes that he will be back before end of current season, while many expressing serious doubts about his return.
Latest assurance about his possible return before end of current season came from his younger brother; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, that he was optimistic about his brother's return to the game before end of 2011 season.
In any case, the Indianapolis Colts chairman has again confirmed that they would be looking for his replacement, and that they had approval of no other than Peyton Manning himself for their potential signee.
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