QB Peyton Manning speaks out on uncertainty around his recovery and return to Indianapolis Colts – NFL News
Indianapolis Colts quarterback (QB), Peyton Manning, said on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, that the final call on his $28 million bonus payout rested with the team’s owner, Jim Irsay, and it was upto him to pay the amount by the deadline of March 8, 2012, or
let him free agent.
It is for the first time that the injured QB has spoken on the issue himself since ending of the 2011 National Football League (NFL) regular season and massive reshuffling of the side following to it.
Manning is to be paid the bonus by the March and the owner has not hinted if he is going to make the payment or will seek to negotiate an extension, or in a totally different scenario cut him loose from his contract with the team.
The player has also spoken of his concerns over the latest developments at the Indianapolis Colts with firing of almost all former managers and coaching staff. He said the changes do not bode well into his recovery hopes and chances of his return to football
another season.
"I'm not in a very good place for healing, let's say that," he said. "It's not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody's walking around on eggshells. I don't recognize our building right now. There's such complete and total
change."
A meeting between the player and Colts new general manager, Ryan Grigson, according to Manning, had taken place in the past week to discuss the situation pertaining to his recovery, return and the contractual terms.
The GM told the player that the owner would be having a meeting with him to discuss his future at the Colts, Peyton Manning said, without having an assurance if was going to stay at the team for more seasons to come.
Peyton Manning said that Grigson told him a meeting "is going to happen at some point, but we haven't had that conversation yet because we really don't need to have that conversation yet."
The QB refrained from speculating anything further on the issue on grounds what he said that he did not want get into some sort of a fans’ campaign against the owner.
There was no word on the possibility of him joining any other team if he returns from the injury next season. The issue is expected to hit the headlines once the payment of bonus is sorted out.
Manning has not played a single game for the Colts since having a neck surgery in September 2011. This was his third straight operation for same injury in last 19 months.
He was left active on the Colts roster with hopes of his return at some point in the season, as had been assured by their former vice chairman, Bill Polian, repeated over the course of the season.
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