Page "Indianapolis Colts" Paragraph 29

After missing the preseason, Manning was ruled out for the Colts opening game in Houston and eventually the entire 2011 season.

Taking over as starter was veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who had been signed to the team after dissatisfaction with backup quarterback Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky.

However, even with a veteran quarterback, the Colts went on to an 0 – 13 record and finished the season with a 2 – 14 record, enough to receive the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Immediately following the season, team president Bill Polian was fired ending his fourteen year tenure with the team and eventually Irsay would fire Jim Caldwell after only three seasons as head coach.

The constant change built the anticipation on the organizations decision regarding Manning's future with the team.

The Peyton Manning era came to a sudden end on March 8, 2012 when Jim Irsay announced that he was officially being released from the roster after thirteen seasons.