Every great folk hero story must come to an end thus is the story of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Coming up in the next two to four weeks the Colts will have to make a franchise altering decision too Peyton Manning or not too Peyton Manning? That is the $28 million dollar question currently facing the Colts.
Many of the NFL’s greatest Quarterbacks have been forced to move on from franchises where they provided epic career moments and Super Bowl victories. San Francisco 49ers fans saw the transition from Joe Montana to Steve Young and the Green Bay Packers survived the handover from Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. In the NFL it’s not new to see legends pass on to the next generation of greatness so what makes the Peyton Manning conversation different?
Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers benefited from being in the team locker rooms, meetings, practices and workouts with Montana and Favre. When the reigns of greatness were passed on Young and Rodgers were veterans not rookies. Allowing the young veterans to learn the system and protocols of the NFL. Steve Young had the locker room presence and guidance of Jerry Rice. Aaron Rodgers benefited from a receiving corps of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The Colts are completely the polar opposite looking to rebuild from the ground up there is no Greg Jennings or Jerry Rice for Andrew Luck to connect with Reggie Wayne is an unrestricted free agent this off season. The worst part would be the fact that Andrew Luck could be on an island in Indianapolis by himself without the presence of a veteran team to help guide the franchise.
Now let’s take some time to acknowledge that its true neck injuries and surgeries are nothing to sneeze about. Peyton suffered a serious injury that could have had life changing implications for 99% of U.S. Americans. So fans may feel a little uneasy with the health of Peyton Manning. Player security and future salary cap money will be an issue when dealing with Peyton and his $28 million option. No NFL owner wants to pay a player $28 million with serious injury and possible mechanical skill issues.
Many argue Peyton Manning is one hit from a career ending injury. Fact its football a violent sport where players run recklessly after other players at full speed every NFL player is one hit away from a career ending injury. In the end Jim Irsay has to do what’s right for the “Horseshoe” franchise.
This is after all the same organization that traded Johnny Unitas in 1973 to the San Diego Chargers remember “Unitas We Stand” and fans chanting “We Want Unitas” against the Buffalo Bills in 1973? I don’t but my dad does he said “it was a beautiful sad moment for the Colts”. Another beautiful sad moment for Colts would be Peyton Manning winning another NFL MVP and Super Bowl ring in a Seahawks, Redskins, Dolphins, Cardinals or Ravens jersey.
Too Peyton Manning or not too Peyton Manning? That is the $28 million dollar question…