The Peyton Manning Era came to an end today after 14 years in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning is now a free agent, and can sign with any team at any time. The decision to release Peyton was a simple one, and another product of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Colts were to pay 28 million in a signing bonus this week. The next five years would have cost Indy 90 million more. Even if Andrew Luck is half the man they say he is…..he will only cost the Colts 24 million total for the next 4 years. The new CBA, negotiated by Peyton’s now former center Jeff Saturday, pretty much sealed the fate of his QB. With the rebuilding that needs to go on in Indy, you will need to use all the money saved on Peyton to get some weapons for Luck. and the defense.
When all the emotional smoke clears, it will be seen that this decision was clear as day.