Peyton Manning Rumors: Jim Irsay Not Fooling Anyone with Latest Proposal

When Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said on Tuesday that Peyton Manning could remain with the team if he took a pay cut, he effectively shut the door on the future Hall of Famer while simultaneously placing the responsibility on Manning's shoulders.

Irsay said, via the Indy Star:

"

“We can make it work if he wants to be here. We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us.

“I want him to be able to make the choice. We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the...healing process with the regeneration of the nerve.’’

"

So, in other words, "We really like you, but not enough to give you your full salary."

Classic.

I can't blame Irsay for going about negotiations this way. By placing the decision squarely in Manning's hands, Irsay ensures that at least the entire city of Indianapolis doesn't hate him by the time this thing is through.

He can say, "Well, I wanted him to stay, but Peyton didn't feel the same way."

If I didn't know Irsay majored in broadcast journalism, but I could swear he majored in psychology.

Pointing to Manning's three neck surgeries is also an effective way to get people to understand Irsay's stance. In all honesty, none of us know how Manning will be next season after rehab and in that sense, it is a valid concern.

But as much as Irsay tries to play "good guy," it's pretty obvious what he's doing. We all know he's slyly trying to push Manning out the door while paving the way for the Colts to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck No. 1 overall in the draft.

What would be hilarious is if Manning actually accepted and threw Irsay for a loop. That would surely foil Irsay's grand master plan.