The Arizona Cardinals need to know by 2 p.m. Phoenix time.
Is Peyton Manning in or is he out?
According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Manning has told the Cardinals he will inform them this morning. The Cardinals need to know by 2 p.m. because that is the deadline for them to release quarterback Kevin Kolb before being on the hook to pay him a $7 million bonus.
If the Cardinals do not land Manning, they plan to proceed with Kolb. If they get Manning, Kolb will be gone. Per Klis, one NFL source said the Cardinals are already out of the race. There could be concern about the offensive line. Over the past two seasons, only the Chicago Bears have surrendered more sacks than the Cardinals.
Either way, Arizona is expected to get some clarity today. Whether that means Manning finally makes a decision, we’ll see.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune