Could Manning move on? Hard to imagine
Peyton Manning wearing a
Miami Dolphins uniform. Or Peyton Manning playing for the
Seattle Seahawks.
But it's not as farfetched today as it was at other times.
There's a lot that still can happen and it makes no sense to predict how it will evolve. But it's worth pointing out that the Colts can get out of Manning's contract after one year and $26 million without any other money being guaranteed, according to a league source.
Manning has a $28 million option bonus/non-exercise bonus in Year 2 that is due on the fifth day before the end of the 2011 league year, according to the source. But if the Colts cut Manning after Year 1, they pay neither.
It sounds crazy because it's Manning we're talking about. But he will be 36 years old next season, and if he can't play this year because of his neck and back injuries, then the Colts could be staring straight at one of the most significant financial decisions they will ever have to make.
They could be deciding whether to pay Manning the balance on his contract or to stick their necks on the line and decline the option bonus.