Peyton Manning, star quarterback and the most popular NFL player, is now a free agent.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Wednesday that the team would release its best player.

"I love the fans, and I will always enjoy having played for such a great team," Manning said Wednesday. "I will leave the Colts with nothing but good thoughts and gratitude to Jim, the organization, my teammates, the media, and especially the fans."

Manning was drafted to Indianapolis in 1998, and has achieved a record-breaking career since.

He led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship and won the league's Most Valuable Player title four times.

The 35-year-old never missed a game until last year when he had multiple neck surgeries. The Colts only won two games without him.

Indianapolis needed to cut Manning this week to avoid paying him a $28 million bonus, although both Irsay and Manning insisted the decision was not really about money.

Possible new destinations for Manning include the Redskins, Dolphins, or the Jets.