Will The Colts Release Peyton Manning?

Well, do you blame them?  He is an awesome quarterback and I love his off-field personality, but he had four neck surgeries and didn't play at all last year.  Would you feel comfortable paying someone $28 million to stand on the sidelines, and that's just a bonus!  What will this mean for Andrew Luck?  I kinda thought the Vikings might get him, but maybe now, he'll be a Colt??!!??!!

According to foxsports.com,  Peyton Manning's career with the Indianapolis Colts will come to a close this week, ESPN reported Tuesday.

According to the report, the Colts will officially cut ties with the four-time NFL MVP quarterback on Wednesday.  The Colts have until Thursday to pick up a $28 million option on Manning's contract for next season, but it was widely believed the team would not choose to pay the 35-year-old Manning that amount after he missed the entire 2011 season following several neck surgeries.

Negotiations on a new contract could continue up until Friday afternoon. After that point, the Colts would be on the hook for a $28 million "non-exercise" fee for not picking up the option.  If Manning is not retained by the Colts he would become a free agent when the NFL year begins March 13.

Manning has been working out in recent weeks at Duke University, where his former offensive coordinator at Tennessee is the head coach.  There have been varying reports on Manning's current health, with the most significant question being how close his arm strength is to returning to normal.

The Colts are expected to use the first pick in April's draft to select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, regardless of whether Manning is still in the fold.

Info via:  foxsports.com