Controversy around Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning football future gains firm grounds – NFL Feature – Part-3
Along the controversy surrounding Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, some reports have claimed that Manning was weighing options such as moving elsewhere on his returns next season.
The rise of such a probability was seen in the perspective of possibility of Peyton’s reservations about playing along the new QB if team’s management decides to keep both the players at their roster at the same time.
Both QBs, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, are considered to be high profile players in their respective leagues.
There was a fear about rise of an issue of recognition for both players if they play besides each other in the same team and at the same time.
Manning’s father, Archie, said that it was unlikely that both players could play side by side.
He denied his comments next day, claiming it was possible for them to get along well and play together.
Around the speculations of the possibility’s Peyton Manning’s deciding to prefer any other team over the Colts, the New York Jets were tipped to be leading side where the player could pursue his future prospects.
The Jets denied that they were chasing such an opportunity if the player becomes available.
Their denial was backed by Colts owner, Irsay’s statement. He claimed if Peyton returns next year to play football another season it will at the Indianapolis Colts.
He kept mum on the options about drafting of the rookie QB. Only thing the owner confirmed in the postseason, soon after he fired Bill Polian and his son Chris Polian, the general manger at the Colts, that he would have a meeting with the Peyton within a
week.
The meeting was expected to discuss the career of the player to determine their future courses.
Apparently, the meeting is yet to happen, as there is no word from the owner about the payout of $28 million to the player.
The deadline is March 08, 2012 and there is no confirmation if the team will make the payment or seek to go into negotiations and extension in the date of the payment.
Some reports have hinted that the team management was seeking an extension in the deadline. The reports are denied by the team owner.
Irsay in the meantime has continued with his aggressive overhauling of the team. He has so far fired vice chairman, general manager, coach and eight assistant coaches.
The only hiring is of the new general manager, Ryan Grigson.
With the owner’s focus away on the management reshuffling, the Peyton Manning’s return controversy took another twist on Thursday, January 19, 2012.
It was reported that the New York Jets were interested to look at the Manning’s prospect if the player was made agent free by the Colts.
These reports were amid the speculations that Irsay will Peyton $28 million in bonus and let him go agent free. It is upto any team then to sign him off the waiver.
It could be true due to the reports that it was terms of the player’s contract that were restricting the owner to comment about the Peyton issue.
Irsay in the later part of last year said that there was a possibility to seek Peyton’s replacement.
He went on to claim that he apparently has Manning’s approval for the scheme.
Manning denied it straightaway.
The owner further said that if they go for finding Manning’s replacement, it would happen in April next year (2012) due to contractual bindings.
As of the latest controversy on the possibility of Manning’s joining the Jets, Jets owner, Woody Johnson, did not rule out looking at the possibility. He said he will "look at everything."
There is no confirmation or denial of the report by either the player or the team management.
Along this uncertainty came a bizarre report that the Peyton will call it quits from the professional football.
It was more sort of joke, a sensation. It was the result of a tweet by the actor Rob Lowe. He claimed his people told him that Peyton will retire later in the day.
The issue made the headlines given the reason that the actor is a friend of Colts owner, Irsay. Once again none of the parties spoke on the matter. Both, Peyton and Irsay have not approved the credibility of the tweet or denied it.
Only Peyton’s father, Archie, has denied it. He said that he should have been aware if his son had decided about the retirement.
With nothing confirmed or hundred per cent about his recovery, heath, fitness and return, controversy around all the possibilities have gained firm grounds.
Most importantly it is not clear if the player will play football for more times to come or will he play with the Indianapolis Colts?.
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