Peyton Manning has been losing his ability to make throws thanks to those neck surgeries a few years ago and now has seemingly lost his job to Brock Osweiler thanks to a plantar fascia tear in his foot that will take some time to heal. Not to say that Brock Osweiler is a better quarterback than Manning - Manning is one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game (see my post from 2/18/15 entitled "Tom Brady - G.O.A.T?") - but he is a much better fit for Gary Kubiak's system with his ability to run bootlegs and get out of the pocket. So, as we are prone to do with athletes, let's start the drum beating on Manning's time in Denver coming to a close and speculate on where he might play next season. Manning has said he wants to play one more year - and hopefully his health allows him to do so. So, in no particular order, here are five teams I believe would want to sign Peyton for a farewell tour.
1) Washington Redskins
Washington's quarterback situation is puzzling for a couple of reasons. For one, there's the whole RGIII fiasco. They strangely decided to exercise his fifth year player option meaning he'll make around $15 million next year if he's still on the team. That's an absurd amount of money to pay a 3rd string quarterback who's playing safety on the scout team defense. Washington does have a good tight end (if he can stay healthy) and an explosive young running back (even if they decide to let Alfred Morris walk this year). Manning won't be able to throw deep to DeSean Jackson but should be able to make throws to allow Jackson to use his speed to gain yards after the catch. But another issue? I don't think Peyton wants to play in the same division as his little brother.
2) St. Louis Rams
Yes, St. Louis traded for Nick Foles and then gave him an extension. But they already benched him. Jeff Fisher needs wins to keep his job and a year of Manning (combined with drafting a young QB to learn from him) could get him the wins he needs and the time to develop that young QB. The Rams have a stud young running back and a ferocious (or capable of being so) defense. To get Manning, though, they'll need to upgrade the pass catching options in free agency and the draft. But would Peyton want to face the Seattle defense twice a year? Super Bowl flashbacks could haunt Manning if he chose to go here.
3) Cleveland Browns
The revolving door at quarterback is going to continue for the Browns and it's been made quite obvious that Johnny Manziel has lost the trust of at least the coaching staff. Why not try to get Manning for a year while they try to develop another young quarterback? They'll need some receivers and to figure out their running back situation, but they should again have an outstanding offensive line even when Alex Mack leaves this offseason. Could Cleveland convince Manning to go against the other AFC North defenses?
4) Houston Texans
They've already cut Ryan Mallett and Bryian Hoyer is just a journeyman. They'll need a running back (highly doubtful they bring back Arian Foster with his age and all his injuries), but they do have some great talent on defense and DeAndre Hopkins could help entice Manning. Could playing his former team twice during the regular season also add some intrigue for Manning? Plus he'd be a great mentor for Tom Savage - the former 4th round pick Bill O'Brien said he'd like to develop.
5) New Orleans Saints
As I wrote last time it looks like Sean Payton will be leaving and Drew Brees (and his really big cap hit) could follow him out the door and to a new team. There's some talent on offense with Brandon Cooks and Mark Ingram, but the defense is a work in progress. Could the prodigal son of Archie Manning come for one season and bring some excitement to The Big Easy?
The Surprise Team - New York Jets
Peyton doesn't want to play in the same division as his brother, but could they share a city and a stadium? The Jets have some talent with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker (whom Manning already has worked with), and Chris Ivory at running back - plus the defense is great. After missing this season's match-up with Brady, would Peyton want to have two more potential match-ups against his most prominent foe?
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