Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning’s Ex-Teammate Pours Cold Water on Colts Front-Office Speculation After GM Firing 1
The Indianapolis Colts are searching for answers after a 26-20 home loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans dropped them to 2-4. One day later, general manager Chris Ballard lost his job. Now the biggest name in the rumor mill is Peyton Manning, and one of his former teammates has a clear opinion about it. His response may surprise Colts fans hoping for a reunion.
Dwight Freeney doubts Peyton Manning will take Colts GM job
Hall of Fame pass rusher Dwight Freeney addressed the speculation on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams on Friday. He admitted he has no inside information about the team’s plans.
“I don’t know anything about it, to be quite honest with you, and I’ll be shocked if he did it,” Freeney told Adams.
He did not shut the door completely. Freeney said Manning is focused on his family and his production business, so a front office move looks unlikely soon. Maybe years from now, he added, but not today.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning smiles at a fan on the sidelines before Tennessee vs. Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 13, 2025.
The talk began when Dan Patrick shared a source’s message on his show. “The Colts’ first call will be/has been to Peyton Manning,” the host said.
The report said the call could explore a GM role with an ownership stake. FOX 59’s Mike Chappell, however, reported that Indianapolis had not contacted Manning as of Tuesday. That leaves the search open.
Ballard led the football operation since 2017 and finished with a 72-82-1 record. The Colts have not won the AFC South since 2014. Assistant GM Ed Dodds is guiding personnel decisions for now.
But Freeney is not the only voice questioning whether Manning would even want the job.
Adam Schefter says Colts job may be beneath Manning
NFL insider Adam Schefter offered a sharper take on Altitude Sports Radio on Tuesday.
“I believe that that job is beneath Peyton Manning,” the insider said.
Schefter noted that Manning’s family lives in Denver and questioned why he would uproot them to run daily operations for a franchise. Colin Cowherd made a similar case on The Herd, saying Manning’s wealth and freedom make the demanding job unappealing.
Manning, now 50, also said in 2024 that running an NFL team was not on his radar. Manning won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts and Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, so his football credibility is not in doubt.
For now, no official word has come from Manning or the Colts about any contact.
The Colts (2-4) visit the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (5-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. Minnesota has allowed only six touchdowns this season, the fewest in the NFL, so Indianapolis faces a steep road test.
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