Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Reggie Wayne has seen his career with the Indianapolis Colts has come to an end after 14 seasons with the team.
Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that the team will not attempt to re-sign Wayne in free agency. Considered one of the best receivers of the modern era, Wayne is seventh on the all-time receptions list with 1,070. He also ranks eighth in NFL history with 14,345 receiving yards.
In a heartfelt goodbye to one of the greatest players in franchise history, Irsay had this to say about Wayne (via team’s official website).
Reggie is one of the greatest men to ever wear the horseshoe, and we have been blessed to watch him play for the past 14 years. When he first took the field with us in 2001, we knew this day would eventually arrive. That reality is one of the things that makes pro football such a tough business.
We feel this decision is in the best interests of the team and for Reggie as it will allow him to seek a better opportunity for playing time elsewhere if he so chooses. Reggie is beloved by the Colts organization and our fans and he will always be a part of the Colts family. I look forward to the day in the near future when our great number 87 enters the Colts Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
At 36 years old, Wayne has seen his production fall off the map in recent years. He suffered a torn ACL during the 2013 season, and has failed to rack up 1,000-plus receiving yards in three of the past four seasons.
With T.Y. Hilton taking on a larger role in the Colts offense, this is a move that many people expected.
It remains to be seen whether Wayne will draw much interest on the open market. Though, a reunion with Peyton Manning in Denver might be attractive for both parties.
Photo: USA Today