During today’s PFT Live, Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star (click the box in the right rail to watch it) raised an interesting point regarding the $28 million option bonus due and payable to Colts quarterback Peyton Manning on March 8.
Kravitz has heard that Peyton and the Colts can’t delay the due date, which would give the Colts far less flexibility when deciding whether to pay the money to a player who may not be, and who may never be, 100 percent. It also would give Manning the ultimate cover for declining to postpone his next pay day. If he chooses not to comply, it looks like he’s being greedy and unreasonable, and/or trying to force his way out of town. If he can’t do it, then he can’t do it.
I promised to get to the bottom of the situation once Kravitz raised it. The answer is simple. The Colts and Manning can renegotiate the contract to change the period to exercise the option payment.
So if anyone reports it can’t happen, there’s a good chance that this concept is being pushed by the Manning camp in order to help Peyton win a P.R. battle with the franchise that officially was launched by his lengthy and compelling interview with Kravitz.