BY ROB MACNEIL – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
It’s official. The Peyton Manning era is over in Indianapolis. Now that the dust has settled, did the Colts make the right move?
After the question was posed in our fan forums, there was no shortage of responses. Read what your fellow fans think then add your own comments below.
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**I really wish they could have restructured Manning’s contract and make it more incentive-based. It’s pretty unfair to expect the Colts to throw another $28 million bonus to Manning when he is coming off four neck surgeries. I think the best case for everyone would have been Manning returning at a reduced rate and letting Luck get a first-rate QB education under Manning. Ugly way for things to end. – jays_77
**Due to the severity of his injury(ies), perhaps a deal could have been struck whereby the $28M was deferred – in the case that everything was a-okay. Come July or August if his neck is fine, Peyton gets all $28M. If it’s not, and it turns out he can’t play ever again, he gets half of it as a consolation prize. I’m not sure any team will sign him until he shows he can throw a ball as he once did. And if it turns out he can’t get to that stage, it may turn out no one will take a chance on him, and zero dollars will be headed his way. – RyeRocks
**It is the perfect time for a rebuild. After seeing rookie QBs like Newton and Bradford step in right away and be effective being able to bring in a guy like Luck or RG3 must be attractive to some of the free agents. Having Manning around for a rebuilding year (with the Texans being as strong as they are) it does no good to have the team go with Manning and miss the playoffs resulting in a bad pick next year. It’s time for a reboot, bring in the fresh blood. Yes their will be growing pains, and I wouldn’t expect the Colts to make the playoffs next year; but Luck or RG3 are not about winning next year, they are about building a championship contender year in year out for the next decade. – Jake47
**The Colts are rebuilding and are sitting on the #1 pick. The $28 million they will be saving will go towards Manning’s replacement who is the safest thing to come along since Eli Manning. Also if Peyton Manning really truly wanted to stick around they could work something out. But Peyton is looking for a fresh start and there is nothing wrong with that. – KahunaBaby
**Now as much as it kills me to say it I do believe they made the right choice. We live in an unfortunate world in sports where athletes make more money then ever before and because of that business will always come before loyalty. The fact is the money that was owed to Manning was substancial and the fact is we don’t know if Manning due to his injuries will be the player he once was let alone even be able to play again. Neck injuries are no joke. Throw in the fact that the Colts are rebuilding and are going to take you’d have to figure at least two or three years to contend for the postseason where Manning could go to a team and potentially be able to help a team right now health permitted. – habs1119
**Short term no, long term they will be better with Luck, better for Manning too he wants one more chance at a title and he won’t get it on a rebuilding team. – Doppelganger
**I think they’re foolish. Dumping a vet QB for some unproven College Star. They’re taking a huge gamble and should regret this move for years to come. I think the so-called Indianapolis Colts being contenders are no more. – cflisthebest
**vet QB coming off 4 neck surgeries. – Doppelganger
**Manning turns 36 in two weeks. Clearly he’s only got couple of years left in him. Not sure why the colts would “regret this move for years” when the guy won’t even be in the league or able to play at a high level. There’s speculation that he’s already done – but that is yet to be proven. – RyeRocks
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