Reggie Wayne caught a lot of passes from Peyton Manning over their years together in Indianapolis and his answer to a question about his future with the Colts suggests he might have received something else from his longtime teammate.
Wayne was on his weekly WNDE radio show this week when the subject of his impending free agency came up. The Colts won’t play at home again this year unless they and the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship Game, which means Sunday could be Wayne’s final game in Indy as a member of the team.
“If I had to answer that question right now, [the answer to] that question would be ‘I will be back,’” Wayne said. “If the Colts want me. Because I’m not playing for nobody else.”
It’s similar phrasing to Manning’s answer about his future with the Broncos -- “I certainly plan on being back if the Broncos will have me” -- but that’s about where the similarities end. There wasn’t any question about Denver’s desire to have Manning back after they’ve constructed their entire roster around having him as their quarterback.
Things aren’t as clear in Indianapolis. Be it because of injuries or age, Wayne has slowed down considerably this season and will have surgery on a partially torn triceps after the season. Wayne is a franchise icon, but the Colts may have the desire to move in a different direction rather than bet against father time in 2015 and Wayne might rethink his refusal to consider other teams if they do.