With the first days of NFL free agency running at breakneck speed, and deals flying as though the owners are spending monopoly money, there is one drama that no one can take their eyes off – where will Peyton Manning land?
One of the greatest football players of all time suddenly became a free agent, and any questions about his health status have flown out the window as teams are throwing everything in a desperate attempt to land the great, white whale.
With a decision probably still a few days off, here’s our handicap of the odds of Manning landing in various NFL cities. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Manning has not eliminated any of the teams he has met with so far.
1. Denver Broncos – 35 percent
The Denver Broncos appear to have the inside track at this point. They were already a solid playoff team, with a great defense, going into this season. Broncos VP John Elway is another all time great quarterback, and he and Manning seem to have a very good rapport. Plus, personal relationships are important to Manning, so the relationship with someone like Elway could swing the decision.
Plus, Elway seems to prefer a conventional pocket passer like Manning to current starter Tim Tebow. Tebow would likely have to be traded if Manning came to town, which is the rumor, and it would provide Elway a politically correct way out of the Tebow mess. As long as Tebow keeps pulling out miracles, Broncos fans won’t tolerate a change, but if Manning came to town… all bets are off.
There is a downside for Manning that doesn’t make this a slam dunk – not a great receiving corps in Denver and it would mean playing outside in a city where the snow flies come December. Not the ideal location to move to after 13 years playing in a nice, comfortable dome.
2. Tennessee Titans – 30 percent chance
The Titans were a little late to the party, but owner Bud Adams has declared that he would do whatever it takes to land Manning. Manning, the former Tennessee Volunteer, would get the chance to return to the location of his triumphs in college. They do have a solid offense, and if Chris Johnson returns to form, he would have a great running game to lean on.
Tennessee would also put Manning in the same division he has always played in, so not only would he get two games against the Colts, he would be competing with other teams that he knows very well.
The Titans already have Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker, who showed some great flashes in the limited playing time he got last season. Likely, one would have to go – presumeably Hasselbeck would be out as Locker held a clipboard and was groomed for the future. Overall, a solid fit and a motivated owner, but they seem to be trailing the Broncos just slightly.
3. Arizona Cardinals – 24 percent chance
The Cardinals would seem to be a great fit. They would pair Manning with Larry Fitzgerald, one of the very best receivers in the game. They were 8-8 last season, so with Manning they would be a playoff caliber team. And they play indoors, and in a good climate, so the weather wouldn’t be a factor.
The downside is only that this would move Manning to the NFC, while he said he preferred to stay in the AFC, and… while this sounds strange to say, there doesn’t seem to be a spark. You don’t sense the excitement from Manning or the Cardinals.
4. Miami Dolphins – 10 percent
The Dolphins seemed to have the inside track coming out of the gate. They were one of the hottest teams for the second half of last season, they had some great offensive weapons, Manning already had a condo in Miami and he seemed poised to reunite with Reggie Wayne.
Since last week, Wayne has resigned with the Colts and the Dolphins traded their top receiver, Brandon Marshall, to the Bears. This is another case where Manning hasn’t said anything negative about the Dolphins, but this seems like more and more of a longshot.
5. Other – 1 percent
We’re not ready to rule out a late run from one of the other teams in the NFL. There are certainly rumblings elsewhere, and some teams like to work behind the scenes, but it seems 99 percent certain that one of the Final Four will walk away with the prize.
All indications are that a decision is likely to be made within the next few days, so stay tuned.
More stories you might like
