Colts owner Jim Irsay is giving fans and media the silent treatment on the topic of a contract extension for Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning, according to *The Indianapolis Star*.
"The 'cone of silence' is going to come down, at least for us," Irsay said Thursday. "That's how you get something done."
Manning is in the final year of his six-year, $98 million contract and is set to make $15.8 million this season. Manning's contract situation has been compared to that of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who's also in the final year of his deal but Thursday signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension that makes him the NFL's highest-paid player based on annual average.
Irsay has said in the past that he plans to make Manning, 34, the NFL's highest-paid player, but he isn't about to let the contract chatter become a distraction.
"Everyone can walk and chew gum at the same time," Irsay said. "You have to multitask at this level."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
