The Indianapolis Colts have made their priorities clear: Re-sign quarterback Peyton Manning before his contract expires at the end of 2010, then turn their attention toward extensions for wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis.
That's an uneasy prospect for Wayne and Mathis, considering the uncertainty of the league's labor situation. Representatives for both Pro Bowl players -- who each have two years remaining on their contracts -- have been told by Colts general manager Bill Polian not to expect new deals anytime soon. That led Mathis to skip organized team activities and Wayne to sit out a mandatory minicamp in June.
Wayne was back in Indianapolis on Saturday night, but to host a charity basketball game at Conseco Fieldhouse. Still, he couldn't avoid questions about a holdout possibly extending into training camp, which begins Aug. 1.
"I guess it's like LeBron James, like 'The Decision.' I guess we gotta see," Wayne told WISH-TV. He jokingly added that he plans his own one-hour special to announce his decision, labeling it "The Decision, Part II."
So, all jokes aside, will Wayne show up to Colts camp?
"We're just gonna take it day by day," he said. "I would love to see Anderson (the new site of camp). I've never been there. And when that day comes, we'll see what's up.
"We've been talking," he added. "I guess you can say that. ... We're just gonna let them do their thing. I'm just gonna come and play football, that's all I can do. And whenever that phone rings with the good news, I'll be excited."
Wayne has two years remaining on his current contract, which will pay him under $6 million each season. He has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
A third Pro Bowl player, safety Antoine Bethea, signed a four-year contract extension with the Colts in June.
