Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Irsay wants Peyton Manning to retire as a Colt

By Evan Reller

Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning is likely going to retire after the Super Bowl, but will that happen with the Broncos or Colts?

Peyton Manning has a chance to do what few players ever get to do: retire on top. His Denver Broncos face the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 this Sunday, and rumors persist that Manning will retire following the game.

Manning spent the first 14 years of his career here in Indianapolis before leaving to finish up in Denver. Manning’s neck injury cost him the 2011 season and with so much unknown about his future, the Colts opted to cut him and reboot the franchise with Andrew Luck. Manning has had four very successful seasons with the Broncos, but his career looks like it is at an end.

Injuries to his foot and thigh have derailed the past two years for Manning on the field, although the team has still had a lot of success. Following the AFC Championship win over the Patriots, Manning mentioned to Bill Belichick that the upcoming Super Bowl might be his final game.

Colts owner Jim Irsay has been interviewed quite a bit this week and he spoke with WISH TV’s Anthony Calhoun about Manning’s potential retirement.

"“I told Peyton right after the game everyone here is so excited, and it’s so deserving because I don’t think anyone is more respected by everyone in the game, meaning you guys in the media to the players on the field he’s playing against,” Irsay said of Manning. “It’s just so deserving, it really is.”"

Often times players will sign a one-day contract with a team in order to retire with a specific team. Jeff Saturday did this back in 2013 after spending the better part of the 2012 season with the Green Bay Packers. It sounds like Irsay has similar plans in mind.

“I would love to have him retire as a Colt,” Irsay said in the interview.

While Manning has had four years of success in Denver, it has always felt like a rental. A temporary football home for the all-time great. Denver was a waypoint on the trip to Canton, Indy was always Manning’s real home.

If he does announce his retirement this weekend, expect Irsay to offer up a one-day contract to Manning so he can retire as a member of the Colts, where he truly belongs.

Home/Colts News