It’s been established that the Colts owe Peyton Manning another $28 million in early 2012. Last month, Peter King pointed out during Football Night In America that the money comes due before the start of the 2012 league year.
That’s significant because it means that the Colts can’t trade Manning to a new team before the payment comes due.
But that hasn’t completely put to rest speculation that the Colts will pay Peyton and then, once the league year begins, attempt to trade him. Bob Kravitz’s latest item on the situation should completely put that speculation to rest.
Kravitz, who covers the Colts for the Indianapolis Star, points out that, if the Colts pay Peyton and then trade him, the Colts will absorb a 2012 salary cap charge of $38.8 million. And if the Colts trade Peyton Manning in 2013, the cap charge would drop to only $28.8 million.
Absent a willingness by Peyton to move the due date of his payment, a trade becomes impossible. Thus, if Peyton tells the Colts “my contract is my contract,” they’ll have to cut him, or they’ll have to keep him for at least two more seasons.
Although Peyton adroitly has avoided any discussion regarding the future, plans undoubtedly are being made. There’s a good chance that the final plan already has been crafted, and that the only thing left to do is implement it.
If that’s the case, Archie Manning’s comments from Tuesday become even more significant. Given that Archie caucused with Oliver Luck the night before Archie told FOX Sports Radio that he “doubts” Peyton and Andrew Luck want to be on the same team, it’s safe to assume that Oliver agrees with that sentiment.
Once the Colts clinch the first overall pick and once Andrew Luck declares his intention to enter the 2012 draft, look for Archie and Oliver to form a Legion of Doom-style tag team, with each former quarterback taking turns placing a little more pressure on Bill Polian and company. At some point, Oliver could explain that Andrew respects the fact that the Colts have a quarterback, and that it would make more sense for the Colts to use the first overall pick to help their quarterback win more championships.
Before that happens, Archie will possibly have more to say. He’s one of today’s guests on The Dan Patrick Show. You can listen live right here.