Based on everything taking place in Indianapolis, it appears likely that Peyton Manning has played his last down of football with the Colts.
A conversation with the Indianapolis Star left little to the imagination, with Manning all but conceding that his days as a member of the Colts organization were numbered.
As we wrote earlier this week, Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay has made major changes with the Colts since the regular season ended.
Irsay fired team architect Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian and coach Jim Caldwell. Ryan Grigson has been hired as the Colts’ new GM and on Wednesday, Irsay hired Chuck Pagano as the team’s new coach.
Come March 1, Manning is due a $28 million check from the Colts unless he’s released.
Considering all of the front office moves Irsay has made and his expressed intent to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, it’s a virtual lock that Manning will be looking for a new team.
Once Manning is released, the question then becomes whether he’ll want to continue playing football or if he hangs up his cleats.
Personally, I believe Manning will play next season. He’ll turn 36 on March 24 and easily has another two or three seasons left in the tank.
If Manning is fully recovered from the neck injury that sidelined him this past season, he’s still a top 10 quarterback in the NFL.
Washington Redskins
There are a number of teams that could use a quarterback, but perhaps no team in the NFL is in more dire need of a quality signal caller than the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins haven’t made the playoffs since 2007 and have made only three appearances in the postseason since 1992.
You could make a legitimate argument that the Redskins haven’t had a star quarterback since Doug Williams last played for Washington in 1989. Over the past 23 seasons, the Redskins’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door.
It’s not that Manning is necessarily a great fit for the Redskins, but he’d provide stability to a position that has been lacking for years.
His presence might also help the team land free agents, especially on the offensive side of the ball where the Redskins need the most help.
Given that the Redskins’ defense isn’t too bad, the addition of Manning could easily translate into two or three wins that Washington might not otherwise get.
Washington has the sixth pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon might be there for the taking.
Imagine Manning at quarterback with a skill player like Blackmon and the possibilities are endless.
Miami Dolphins
There are reports that Miami will make a run for Manning once he’s let go by the Colts. The Dolphins started the season 0-7 but closed with a 6-3 record, mainly on the strength of their defense.
Matt Moore did a decent job for Miami after Chad Henne went down with an injury. But despite posting respectable numbers, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has made it clear that the team will be looking for a new starting quarterback.
With the hiring of Joe Philbin as head coach, many are speculating the former Packers offensive coordinator wants to bring Matt Flynn to Miami.
Flynn would still represent a somewhat unproven commodity, although he’s performed well in his role as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.
But if the Dolphins are serious about competing in the AFC East, having Manning as the team’s QB is the best recipe for success.
Think of the possibilities for a moment. Manning in Miami and Tom Brady in New England. Two division rivals facing each other twice every season. That’s a match made in media heaven.
With the Marlins moving out of Sun Life Stadium, the Dolphins will no longer have to play the first few home games of the season with a dirt infield.
That’s a huge advantage for a passing game that could potentially have Manning at QB and Brandon Marshall at wideout.
Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning and Larry Fitzgerald. Are you kidding? That’s a scary combination.
The Cardinals finished 8-8 after beginning the season 1-6. Arizona could have easily won two or three of the games they lost early in the season if they had a quarterback like Manning directing their offense.
Kevin Kolb was okay this season but he clearly isn’t the long term answer for Arizona. If the Cardinals are going to compete with San Francisco in the NFC West, Manning is the QB they need.
Arizona needs another complimentary receiver to take the pressure off Fitzgerald and they need an upgrade over Todd Heap at tight end.
The Cardinals have the 13th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and there are a number of players that could provide some immediate help.
Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd might be an option, as would South Carolina wideout Alshon Jeffery.
With Beanie Wells at running back and a few additional pieces, the Cardinals could be a dangerous team next season with Manning under center.
Minnesota Vikings
Has much as I’d hate to see it, Minnesota could make a run for Manning.
The Vikings are a team with a number of toys on offense that could make Manning’s life very easy, but there are a number of holes on defense that won’t be fixed in one offseason.
With Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart at running back, the Vikings can keep opposing defenses honest. Percy Harvin is a talented weapon that would give Manning a legitimate deep threat and he’d have a solid tight end combination with Visanthe Shiancoe and Kyle Rudolph.
Manning and the offense would put a lot of points on the board, and they’d need a lot of points given that the Vikings defense allowed the second most points allowed this past season.
Considering that Minnesota plays in the NFC North along with Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago – three teams that have more than enough to compete for a playoff berth next season – even with Manning at QB, the Vikings would likely be outside the playoff race.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are perhaps the least likely destination for Manning. Matt Hasselbeck performed well this past season and he has two years left on his current contract with the team.
But can you envision Manning returning to the state where one day he could be the Governor?
Manning is so beloved in the state that the University of Tennessee – his Alma mater – renamed Yale Avenue to Peyton Manning Pass in 1997.
The Volunteers’ football team makes their way to Neyland Stadium during the “Vol Walk,” part of which is traveled along Peyton Manning Pass.
The Titans finished 9-7 last season but they had two inexplicable losses, one of which was to the Colts.
Tennessee plays in the AFC South along with Indianapolis, giving Manning a chance to get a little payback against his former team twice during the season.
With Chris Johnson at running back taking pressure off of Manning, the Titans could easily challenge for the division crown.
The Titans could use more help at wide receiver, especially since Kenny Britt will enter next season coming off of ACL surgery.
Tennessee is one of those teams no one ever talks about much but they always seem to be in the middle of the playoff race.
Having Manning at quarterback could lift the Titans out of the middle and into the lead in the AFC South.
After Manning decides to retire, he could then drive a few hours east to Knoxville and take over as head coach of the Volunteers.
Taking all of that into consideration, which team do you think Peyton Manning will play for next season?
Vote in the poll below and post a comment if there’s a team other than those mentioned.
