Not Just Manning’s Decision

Since it became obvious Peyton Manning wasn’t going to be returning to the Indianapolis Colts next season, the talk has essentially been ‘what team is Manning going to choose to play for’. The assumption here seemed to be that he’d call up a team he was interested in playing for, inform them of his interest, lay out exactly what he’d require and then sign with the team shortly thereafter. This was presuming that every team, except those with a Brady, Rodgers or Brees at quarterback would, unquestionably, want to sign Manning to replace whoever they had at any price. It was as though he would be holding a press conference to announce a lottery winner.

This certainly is not the case because there are many reasons, as hard as it might be to believe for some, why some teams might not want to get his John Hancock on a contract.

Aside from the teams with the previously mentioned superstar quarterbacks, who wouldn’t replace them with anyone, including a healthy Peyton Manning, there are other teams who are happy enough with their QB not to take the risk of starting over with another player at the position. Some teams have an awful lot of money invested in the guy they’ve signed, making a move to bring in Manning way too expensive. A team might have to buy out a guy they’ve already got at the position, adding to the cost of  acquiring Manning.

Once a team decides they’re at least interested in talking to number 18, there is still whatever conditions Manning would set to sign with a team. What kind of a salary is he going to be looking for? Does his asking price disqualify a team because they won’t have room under the salary cap to bring him in or, is the price just more than they’d be willing to pay for any player, even one of his caliber? Does Manning want any kind of assurances from the team regarding the roster, offensive system or control of the offense that a particular team is not willing to give him?

The biggest stopper to the process for most teams will simply be the fact that no one really knows just what they’ll be getting when Manning puts his name on a contract. Everyone knows he’s had the four procedures on his neck in the past couple of years. Manning has been medically cleared for physical contact, but it’s still unknown as to how much of a recovery he’ll make from the latest operation. Add to that the fact that he won’t have played a game in a year and a half by training camp, and it becomes a risky endeavor to take on the 36 year old quarterback.

As fun and exciting as it is to think of Peyton Manning on your favourite team, you can’t assume your team will want him or that he’ll even be Peyton Manning when he comes back.