INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Tuesday he's willing to have quarterback Peyton Manning back next year, if a deal can be worked out.
Irsay indicated Manning can return to finish his likely Hall of Fame career with the same team he began it with, but only if the signal-caller is willing to renegotiate his contract after sitting out the 2011 season with a neck injury.
"We can make it work if he wants to be here," Irsay told The Indianapolis Star. "We'd be excited to have him back and finish his career with us.
"I want him to be able to make the choice. We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the … healing process with the regeneration of the nerve."
Manning's contract calls for a $28 million club option bonus by March 8, which if accepted by the Colts, would lock him into the rest of a five-year, $90 million deal.
If Irsay declines the option, Manning becomes a free agent.
The newspaper said it is believed the quarterback has not yet regained full strength in his right arm.
