Jim Irsay Calls Out Peyton Manning Over Negative Indianapolis Colts Atmosphere Comments

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay introduced new head coach Chuck Pagano on Thursday during a conference but the real focus was on Irsay’s disgust over comments recently made by quarterback Peyton Manning.

You might recall that two days ago Manning recalled a harsh atmosphere in Indianapolis after the teams 2-14 season led to the firing of 11 coaches and various other staff members. In his press conference on Thursday Irsay called Peyton Manning a “politician” while noting:

“I don’t think it’s in the best interest to paint the horseshoe [the teams logo] in a negative light, I really don’t. The horseshoe always comes first, and I think one thing he’s always known, because he’s been around it so long, is that, you know, you keep it in the family. If you’ve got a problem you talk to each other, it’s not about campaigning or anything like that.”

The comment comes at a time when Manning will be owed a $28 million bonus check should the team keep him through his march contracts agreed upon March deadline. With the Colts preparing to pick up Andrew Luck as the NFL’s No. 1 draft choice the ability to give up Manning and use that $28 million to rebuild the team is looking more attractive.

Manning was injured this past season and underwent Sept. 8 neck surgery, his third such procedure in just 19 months.

Already removed from the team are vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian and head coach Jim Caldwell along with most of the Caldwell created Indianapolis Colts staff.

Manning appears of late to be most upset with his lack of communication at the GM level in which he says he has talked to the teams new GM Ryan Grigson only in “passing” while feeling as if he needs to be “walking around on eggshells.”

Regardless of Peyton Manning’s feeling Irsay says of the situation:

“I have so much affection and appreciation for Peyton. I mean we’re family. We always will be and we are. He’s a politician. I mean look at, when it comes to being competitive, let’s just say on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, we’re both 11s, OK? So there’s been plenty of eggshells scattered around this building by him with his competitive desire to win.”

Do you believe that the Indianapolis Colts are preparing to shed a $28 million weight from their books and replace it with a younger and more nimble Andrew Luck?