Peyton Manning Rumors: Lingering Health Issues Will Keep QB on Sidelines in 2012

The Indianapolis Colts are facing one of the toughest decisions in franchise history when it comes to the tenure of star quarterback Peyton Manning.

While it’s true that he is one of the greatest of all time, there are legitimate concerns that his ailing neck injury is serious enough to keep him out for some of the 2012 season.

With a terrible 2011 behind the team and a bright future with No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck, Manning’s time in Indianapolis is drawing to a close. Just like other all-time greats, like Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas, Manning's career will have to conclude in another city besides the one in which he made his mark.

Mike Florio from NBC Pro Football Talk is reporting about Manning’s health issues, that are still very much a concern:

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Peter [King from Sports Illustrated] said that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is struggling to get healthy.  With barely more than a month to go before the March 8 trigger for payment of $28 million, that makes it even less likely that the Colts will pony up the cash. Also, Peter said that Colts owner Jim Irsay strongly denied an NFL Network report that a decision was made 'weeks ago.'

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There is no way that all of the years of service in Indy mean nothing to Irsay and the Colts' high-ranking officials, but this is a business. If this decision is based solely on what is good for business, Manning will be a free agent before the bonus that pays him another $28 million.

As I say all of this, I understand that I am advocating that a team let go of quite possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, but that’s the dog-eat-dog world of NFL football.

If there is a possibility that Manning will not play next season, why would the franchise that is building for the future spend such a heavy fee for a player to sit on the bench?

Manning needs to get healthy fast or find himself as the most coveted free agent of all time. Although, the latter wouldn’t be so bad for him.

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