Indianapolis Colts fans had barely taken in one front-office shake-up on Monday when a familiar name entered the conversation.
Shortly after the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard, Dan Patrick put Peyton Manning’s name forward on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
However, several fans pushed back on the idea. Much of that aversion came in replies to a question from Angela Moryan, a sports anchor and reporter for WISH-TV and WRTV.
Reporter Asks Colts Fans About Peyton Manning as GM
Patrick told his audience, “The Colts’ first call will be/has been to Peyton Manning.” He explained why he thought the idea would play well: “So now you have an opportunity to put Peyton back in Indy as a GM and part owner. And he gets to pick his quarterback. So now all of a sudden, the community is going to love this.”
After this, Moryan put the idea straight: “Peyton Manning as the next Colts GM and part owner? Colts fans, how would you feel about this?”
However, Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 reported that owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon had not reached out to Manning since Ballard was fired.
One fan’s reply to Moryan had that report in mind: “Chappell disputes this. And Peyton as GM would further set back this organization. Need someone with front office experience.”
Another fan started with affection before getting to the same sticking point: “I love Peyton, but he doesn’t have any GM experience.”
This fan separated the two roles: “Besides being a Hall of Fame QB, what does he know about being a GM?”
Another’s frustration went beyond Manning: “We need winning experience. No more freaking first-timers.”
For another fan, the problem was looking back at all: “We need a guy who’s completely free from that era. Stop living in the past.”
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This fan worried about what a run in the front office could do to how they see Manning: “I don’t wanna end up hating Peyton because he ends up being worse than Ballard.”
The “ManningCast,” Manning’s Monday night alternate broadcast, debuted in 2021, and his Omaha Productions has a deal with ESPN that runs through 2034.
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Notably, Sunday was a game to forget. The Colts led 13-0 at halftime at Lucas Oil Stadium. Then they gave up 20 fourth-quarter points in a 26-20 loss that dropped Indianapolis to 2-4.
Irsay-Gordon set out the next step in a statement: “We will conduct a thorough search for our next general manager and take the time necessary to identify the right leader.” Assistant general manager Ed Dodds will take over the personnel department for the rest of the season.
The Colts are second in the AFC South and play the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. ET in Week 7.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.