Indianapolis Colts say not seeking extension in quarterback Peyton Manning’s bonus payout – NFL News
Indianapolis Colts said on Sunday, January 08, 2012, that the team management was engaged in a long but disciplined process of evaluating their options with regard to their injured quarterback (QB) Peyton Manning’s future at the team.
The self-assuring statement came from Colts' owner, Jim Irsay, in denial of reports that the side was seeking to extend the deadline of March 08, 2012, for paying the QB a bonus of $28 million.
"There has been no discussion of a deadline push, n just like '98 with Manning/Leaf, u have 2 go thru a long, disciplined process of evaluation," Irsay tweeted, apparently answering the reports claiming that the team management was interested to have an
extension in the deadline.
Under the terms of Manning's contract, Colts have to pay the $28 million in bonus to the player in March this year, and the payout is set to trigger the stay of the player at the club for four more years, under the contract he signed with Colts last year.
Reports in some sections of the media hinted at that Irsay side might be looking to stretch the deadline beyond March 08 to have more options on the Peyton’s future with the Indianapolis Colts.
Irsay, however, denied of thinking such an options or approaching Peyton Manning discussing the possibility of an extension in the terms.
These reports following news about an expected meeting between Jim Irsay and Peyton Manning in a week time to discuss the future of the player at the Colts.
The meeting is expected to set the future course for both sides.
The payment of the bonus to QB is part of his contract. However, there have been no comments on the payment from the sides, the employer and player.
Some of the reports earlier indicated that the Colts were seeking to replace Peyton Manning with the new draft pick next draft season, which begins this year.
Jim Irsay, however, has not spoken about the future of Peyton Manning, except for his comments that if Peyton returns next year to play football another season it will be with the Colts.
His comments apparently came in the light of speculations that Peyton might prefer any other side over the Colts next year. In that case, there might some changes in terms of his contract, to be discussed by both parties at some point soon.
Peyton Manning himself has not denied the reports of his likely consideration of moving elsewhere or weighing his other options such as retirement.
Manning has been at Colts for the last 14 years and signed another four-year deal earlier last year. He, however, did not play for the Colts at all in 2011 due to his neck injury.
He, however, was kept active on the team’s roster with hopes he might return to play at some point of the season.
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