Peninsula Daily News news sources
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning are parting after a 14-year star turn that included one Super Bowl title and a record four MVP awards.
And according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Seattle Seahawks will come out “checkbook blazing” to sign him.
The team and Manning announced today they were parting ways rather than pay Manning a $28 million bonus. He would become a free agent.
Arizona, Miami, Tennessee, Washington and the New York Jets have also all have been rumored as possible destinations; Manning’s former offensive coordinator in Indianapolis, Tom Moore, worked for the Jets as a consultant last season.
It’s still possible, however unlikely, that Manning could return to Indy at a lower price.
Seattle recently re-signed running back Marshawn Lynch to a contract that guarantees him $18 million. Owner Paul Allen and general manager John Schneider have spent money over the past couple seasons on free agents like Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, so there’s no reason to think they would hesitate to pay Manning.
A big part of the reason for Manning’s success for more than a decade in Indianapolis has been continuity. While new pass catchers have often been integrated into the offense well, Manning always had either Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne as his main target.
Wayne is also a free agent, and according to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, the Seahawks would be willing to sign both Manning and Wayne.
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KOMO-TV, a Seattle news partner of the Peninsula Daily News, contributed to this report.
