John Aaron, wtop.com
WASHINGTON — A single tweet caused a firestorm today, leading many to believe future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning was on his way to Washington.
ESPN anchor Bram Weinstein said this morning that the Redskins were “very likely” to acquire Manning from the Colts, along with center Jeff Saturday. He said he got the information from a trusted co-worker at the network.
Weinstein later said he never intended the comments to imply that a deal was imminent.
He says it all began when he was discussing scenarios involving Manning with some ESPN insiders yesterday. He says one of those insiders believed the Redskins would be “out front” and trying to land the QB if he were released by Indianapolis, information he passed along on Twitter.
Manning is due a $28 million bonus in March, when the Colts must decide whether to pay him, renegotiate his contract, or grant him his release.
“We are a long way away from any of this becoming reality,” according to Weinstein, who called the tweet “innocuous” and “informed speculation.” He also made it clear that the information did not come from within the Redskins, an organization he had close ties to as a radio broadcaster in D.C.
Manning, who turns 36 in March, missed the entire 2011 season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months. Colts owner Jim Irsay says only that his rehabilitation is ongoing.
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