Peyton Manning Rumors: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Wrong to Put QB's Future on Hold

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is making a foolish decision to not address the future of franchise quarterback Peyton Manning right now, and in doing so, he puts his team and best player in an unfair position.

The long-term future of Manning and the numerous trade rumors surrounding him have been a major distraction for him and the team, and it's one that needs to go away now.

After firing head coach Jim Caldwell and general manager Bill Polian since the Colts' season ended—two people Manning liked and respected—it's quite clear that Manning won't be back next season.

The Colts can take a franchise quarterback in Stanford's Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and in the process, move on from Manning, whose recent neck surgery has raised questions about his future as an elite quarterback.

Manning leaving the Colts is inevitable, so why delay the process?

It's not fair to Manning that he keeps having to address questions about his future and comment on crazy trade rumors that won't happen. If Irsay really doesn't want to pay Manning the $28 million roster bonus he's due on March 8, then he should just cut him now.

The talk of restructuring his deal is also foolish. The only scenario in which restructuring his deal would make sense is if Irsay wanted to trade Manning. With a smaller contract, more teams might think about acquiring him despite the health concerns, but Irsay has already said he won't trade his franchise quarterback.

The Colts need to make the decision on Manning's future and move on right now. If not before the Super Bowl, then during the week after it.

This is a distraction the team and Manning should not deal with anymore, and if Irsay has already made up his mind about how he will handle the situation, what is he waiting for?

By firing Caldwell and Polian and refusing to publicly say he will keep Manning for the future, it's pretty clear Manning will not be wearing the blue-and-white No. 18 jersey next season.

There's no reason to prolong the inevitable—Manning and the Colts are best suited parting ways. You can't draft Luck, fire two people Manning likes and then expect him to stay long-term.

Manning has done a ton for the Colts and has made the franchise what it is today, but holding onto an aging player with health concerns would be a terrible decision for the team.

At some point, you have to move on from your best players, even ones like Manning, and it's better to do that sooner rather than later.

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