Peyton Manning Rumors: Where Do Colts' Staff Changes Put QB in 2012?

Every week, more news keeps coming out of the Indianapolis Colts organization that makes it seem less and less likely that future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning will be a member of his longtime team in 2012.

First, it was the news that vice chairman Bill Polian and his son, Chris, the team's general manager, would no longer be with the Colts.

Then, upon hiring a new general manager, former Philadelphia Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigson, the team parted ways with head coach Jim Caldwell in a move that many believed meant the beginning of the end of the Manning era in Indianapolis.

But now, it's the news that Colts owner Jim Irsay and not Grigson will be the one to make the final decision on Manning's status with the team that has it seeming highly unlikely that Manning will be playing football for Indianapolis in 2012 if he is medically able to do so.

In an interview with Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, Manning said, "One thing he (Grigson) kind-of, sort-of told me, without really wanting to tell me, was that Irsay will be the guy I'm going to sit down and talk with," implying that the ultimate decision will be made by the hands-on owner and not the new GM.

Manning is set to be owed a $28 million roster bonus on March 8, but reports have emerged recently that state Manning isn't willing to push back the date, nor are he and Irsay willing to restructure the amount owed him.

That means that the chances for Manning to be released when he and Irsay ultimately meet some time in the future are very good. The team has the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and all signs are pointing to them drafting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and immediately moving on with him as their starter.

There are other hints that Manning is out the door. In the interview with Kravitz, Manning speaks in detail about the demeanor of the Colts' facility now that so many coaches, coordinators and other front-office personnel have been released of their duties.

He called it, "not the best environment," and lamented the way that many of the fired staff members had to lose their jobs so abruptly.

He's clearly still very tied to those who are no longer with the team, but he's just as tied to Indianapolis as his city and community and would very much prefer to remain with the Colts through 2012 and beyond, but the recent developments seem to indicate the team has other plans, ones that don't involve keeping Manning around.

Manning also said in the interview that he has no plans to retire and that he will play in 2012 if he is healthy enough to do so. He's still recovering from two offseason neck surgeries he had in 2011 and has yet to practice throwing on a regular basis.

But if his recovery progresses as well as he hopes, there's a very good chance that Manning will be starting for another team in the upcoming season. Whether that means a long-term deal for the veteran or just a one-year contract remains to be seen, it all depends on which team snags him and what their vision of the future is.

At least it's now clear that Manning would prefer to stay with the Colts if he is to play football in 2012. The rest, apparently, is up to Irsay. However, don't be surprised to see Manning under center for a new team this season if recent events in Indianapolis are any indication of the team's plans.