Why Jim Irsay's Offer to Welcome Peyton Manning Back Is Entirely Insincere

Jim Irsay says he would welcome quarterback Peyton Manning back to the Indianapolis Colts next season, but anyone with a brain can see that his offer for the four-time MVP to return is completely insincere. 

In one breath, Irsay claimed that Manning's return to the Colts was entirely up to him. However, in the next, he said that Indianapolis will not pay the $28 million bonus he is due on March 8. Obviously, any return to the team would be contingent on a restructuring of the five-year, $90 million contract the two sides agreed to in July. 

It wouldn't be reasonable for Manning to expect that bonus to be paid after missing the 2011 season, but at the same time, it would be equally unreasonable for Irsay and the Colts to expect him to accept a deal worth far less than the one he just signed a few months ago. 

In addition to that, no one expects Manning to take a pay cut to remain in Indianapolis for far less money than he could get on the open market if he is going to have to compete with a rookie quarterback to keep his job.

If the Colts plan on taking Stanford's Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, they can pretty much kiss their future Hall of Fame quarterback goodbye.

At this point in his career, Manning has earned the right to not have to look over his shoulder at the guy aiming to take his job. I would bet most Colts fans agree with that sentiment.

By claiming that Manning's return to The Circle City is entirely up to him, Irsay is just making it easier to blame the quarterback if he does decide to skip town or if the two sides can't come to a contract agreement. 

Irsay has come across as the bad guy in this situation over the past few weeks. His offer to restructure Manning's deal so that he could return is his way of saving face. There is absolutely no way the two parties will find common ground, since the Colts are almost certain to low-ball the superstar and offer him few if any guarantees.