Peyton Manning Rumors: Colts Drama with No. 18 Could Last Longer Than Expected

The Peyton Manning saga in Indianapolis could very well be extended past the date everyone expected the NFL's biggest story of the offseason to come to a conclusion. 

Either Manning will be paid his $28 million bonus and remain with the Colts, or he will be out the door and in search of a new team. 

The deadline for the bonus was supposed to be this Thursday, but Jason La Canfora of NFL.com has sources telling him discussions between the two parties may not end until Sunday. 

If the report is true, the most anticipated decision of the year thus far would be pushed back, forcing fans to wait longer for the big news. 

Update: NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed with NBC Sports Pro Football Talk that, "all business for the current week must be transacted by 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9."

This means the Colts must make a decision on Manning by Friday. 

It's not like people had Thursday circled on their calendars or anything. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't, but it's no secret everyone wanted to know whether Manning would be staying or going.

What's most interesting is that sources are saying they're trying to renegotiate a new deal. This might actually hint that Manning is staying, but nothing is guaranteed, so Colts fans shouldn't get their hopes up.

Whatever Jim Irsay and the Colts decide to do, it will shape how many teams approach free agency and the the 2012 NFL draft. 

Ever since Manning was cleared by doctors, the fans, media and several teams have been anxiously waiting to see if the Colts will keep or release him. A number of different reports broke out about Manning's status, some saying he "can't throw the ball to his left" and one saying he will play in 2012. 

Once a video came out of what appears to be Manning throwing deep balls at Duke, the NFL's offseason tale of the unknown greatly intensified. 

For a while, nobody knew if Manning could really play again. After all, he missed an entire season because of a neck injury, which is serious business. He has to be careful coming back from that. 

Sure, throwing in drills is completely different from a game, but it was still good to see Manning back in action.

The unknown has kept everyone on the edge of their seats, waiting for any real news from the man himself. Fans were craving actual information from Manning, and that video is the proof that they were longing for. 

Unfortunately, it now appears everyone will have to wait just a little bit longer to find out if Manning will stay with the team he's always been with, or if he'll be off to a new adventure in 2012.