According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Indianapolis Colts have made a ‘strong push’ for franchise icon Peyton Manning to assume a lead front office role, but such talks have since stalled:
Colts owner Jim Irsay in fact made strong push for Peyton Manning as head of football w Gruden as coach. Still hopeful to get Peyton
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 14, 2017
While Irsay would love to bring Peyton back its Manning's call and tho he's listened I think it would be uphill battle to get him to do it
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 14, 2017
It’s a report that was later confirmed by WTHR’s Bob Kravitz, who reported that a deal is “unlikely” at this point based on his team sources:
Been told by multiple sources that a Manning hire is "unlikely'' at this point. Not sure if sticking point is ownership share or timing.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) January 14, 2017
Along with Jim Irsay‘s reportedly failed recruitment of always highly sought after head coaching candidate Jon Gruden, it shows that the Colts owner clearly isn’t necessarily satisfied with the status quo regarding his top leadership with the franchise and wants to win.
However, it’s at what cost which may be the sticking point–especially as it relates to Manning’s potential requested ownership stake with the franchise. Irsay and his daughters may not want to surrender any significant ownership stake to Manning, which would be a prerequisite to bringing him on board in a key front office role.
Instead, the Colts now have a general manager and head coach, who apparently know that they are clearly not their owner’s first choice for the leadership positions they currently still hold anymore.
Next: Colts pursued Jon Gruden, but he won’t be the next coach
While fans can’t fault Irsay for at least trying to pursue new alternatives to improve the team, it makes for a messy situation now atop the Colts current brass and a truly awkward situation for all parties involved (even if it’s later denied)–as he’s swung for the fences and now apparently missed.