The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday. Before the day was out, a report linked Peyton Manning to both the job and a stake in the team.
However, Indianapolis radio host Jake Query of “1075 The Fan” sees two big problems with bringing Manning back.
Why Jake Query Doubts a Peyton Manning-Colts Homecoming
Late Jim Irsay’s three daughters now own the Colts, with Carlie Irsay-Gordon serving as principal owner and CEO. Query’s math assumes Manning would pay full value to join them.
“Peyton Manning’s net worth is approximated to be around $300 million… $300 million dollars would buy Peyton Manning roughly four percent of what the team is worth,” Query said.
The math just about checks out. Using a roughly $8 billion franchise valuation, $300 million would equal only about 4% of the team’s headline value, before accounting for liquidity, transaction terms, or any minority-stake discount.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out that NFL rules would prevent the Colts from giving Manning equity as compensation for serving as GM, though he could separately buy an ownership stake.
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Query’s second problem has nothing to do with money: “It is my belief, not fact, that Peyton Manning, as much as he has a reverence for Indianapolis, and as much as he is now a beloved adopted son of Indianapolis, Peyton Manning will never, and I’m not saying he should get over the fact that he was cut by the Indianapolis Colts.”
As evidence, Query pointed to where Manning, who retired a decade ago, now spends his time: “There’s a reason he lives in Denver… there’s a reason why he’s at Nuggets games and Broncos games.”
The report came from Dan Patrick, who passed along what a source had told him on “The Dan Patrick Show”: “The Colts’ first call will be/has been to Peyton Manning.” The call, Patrick added, “will explore whether or not Peyton would be interested in being a General Manager of the Colts as an entry point that would include ownership interest in the Colts.”
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Mike Chappell of Fox59/CBS4 has since reported that the Colts have not yet reached out to Manning, though he noted that doesn’t mean they won’t.
Patrick also raised a possible snag, adding: “Now my source says the only question will be Peyton’s family. They enjoyed Denver quite a bit.”
Denver is also where Manning’s name came up in ownership talk before. When the Denver Broncos were up for sale in 2021, Jason La Canfora, then with CBS Sports, reported that Manning had held talks with several ownership groups seen as favorites to buy the team. No formal role came of it once the group led by Rob Walton came out on top.
Manning has turned down a high-profile pitch before. ESPN repeatedly pursued Manning for the “Monday Night Football” booth after his retirement, including sending executives to Denver, but he declined.
A full-time GM role could also complicate Manning’s media commitments. Florio argued it would likely mean giving up ManningCast and potentially stepping back from Omaha Productions.
Florio noted in his column that “while it makes plenty of sense for the Colts to want him now, if Manning wanted to live that life he probably already would be.”
Meanwhile, Ballard’s tenure, in its 10th season, ended one day after the previously winless Tennessee Titans came back from a 13-0 halftime deficit to beat the Colts 26-20 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The loss dropped the Colts to 2-4, though they sit second in the AFC South. They play the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, October 25, in Week 7.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.