Colts Must Stop Playing Games, Make Final Decision on Peyton Manning Already

The Indianapolis Colts and owner Jim Irsay are playing games right now and they just need to stop already. Virtually everyone across the NFL landscape expects the franchise to cut ties with long-time quarterback Peyton Manning, and out of respect for the four-time MVP and his future, they should just go ahead and do it. 

Indianapolis is obviously not going to pay Manning the $28 million roster bonus he is due next Thursday. That means the team will have to cut him loose. The Colts should just go ahead and do it out of respect for his service to the franchise. Allow him to plan for his next move, and start looking towards what's best for the team's future. 

Sources have claimed that Manning is throwing much better and is certainly on his way to getting fully healthy. He will play in the NFL next season and unless some kind of miracle happens, it will be in a new city. Everyone knows that. It's the worst-kept secret in all of sports right now and by delaying the inevitable, the Colts are just giving false hope to fans who would love to see Manning return to the Circle City.

Does Indianapolis have to cut Manning loose before the March 8 deadline for his roster bonus? Absolutely not. In most cases, franchises should take all the time at their disposal to make a move. But this isn't most cases.

Manning has meant so much to the Colts that if Irsay were a smart guy, he'd do something special for him as soon as possible. Ursay should show there is no ill-will, and that he and the team wishes the quarterback well.

Indianapolis should hold a press conference, ask Manning to attend and make it almost like a retirement ceremony by celebrating his achievements with the team, then letting him speak, etc. It would be the classy way to let him go. 

That said, I don't think that will happen. Given his public statements about Manning and his ridiculous tweeting over the past few months I don't expect Irsay to do the right thing. I expect a public statement on the Colts' website and maybe a few tweets about the future from his account. 

Whatever happens, the Colts need to do it quickly or risk losing the faith of a fanbase that just wants to either welcome Manning back, or to move on once and for all.