With a medically cleared Peyton Manning and rift that has occurred with Jim Irsay the writing on the wall for Peyton Manning to leave Indy. The number one pick is in the Colts hands and ready for Andrew Luck to be delivered. Peyton Manning is going to follow the likes of Joe Montana and Joe Namath as a face of the franchise to move on before the end of their career. The Colts will be releasing Peyton Manning before the 28 million dollar bonus is due, thus leaving Peyton a free agent and putting the ball in Peyton’s court.
Peyton is going to looking at a situation that will give him a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl. The number of teams Peyton can sign with that need a quarterback and give him a realistic shot at the Super Bowl is small group. Peyton has made his money and is now only looking to add rings to his fingers.
Super Bowl contenders
San Francisco 49ers
Peyton Manning can step right in the 49er offense and take the team right back to NFC championship and farther. The 49ers defense is amongst the best in the league with a dynamic front four, a stud linebacker in Patrick Willis and a ball hawking secondary that makes big plays in the clutch. Peyton will be behind a solid offensive line that will give him a ton of protection, a running game that has proven to be powerful and dynamic weapons like Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, that will only improved with Peyton getting them the ball. Jim Harbaugh has the 49ers ready to win and Peyton is the piece that puts them over the top. A Peyton versus Eli rivalry could be year in and year out rivalry with a trip to the super bowl on the line for the next few seasons.
New York Jets
With the Jets, Peyton Manning could be the calming force in a locker room seemingly full of turmoil. The Jets have a strong defense with lockdown corners that will keep the Jets in all the games. Manning will have strong targets to get the ball to in Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller and potentially Plaxico Burress coming back. He can hand the ball to Shonn Greene who will have a better season with season with Peyton under center. The idea of two Mannings in New York is exciting and will only fuel the rivalry. With Peyton in New York a Super Bowl featuring both teams from New York and two Mannings is a likely scenario.
Sharing a city with his brother Eli Manning and a division with Tom Brady are two signs that point to Peyton not signing with the Jets. Peyton being the ultimate competitor, this might intrigue him and motivate him. I never count Rex out.
Contenders with flaws
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins proved last year with questionable quarterback play, that they can be competitive. They have a improving defense with big play ability. He will have weapons on the offensive side of the ball in big play receiver Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush who proved he could be an every down back. The Dolphins have one of the issues Manning would face in New York, being in the same division as Tom Brady on a team with seemingly less talent. The Dolphins also feature first year coach Joe Philbin, which could scar of Manning. The connection with Philbin could bring free agent Matt Flynn to town, which might make more sense for a team closer to the rebuilding phase as opposed to being a contender.
Tennessee Titans
What is a better way to stick it to your old team than playing with a division rival? The Tennessee Titans have great offensive line, talented receivers in Kenny Britt and Nate Washington. The ability to hand of to Chris Johnson, who should have a shot at returning to old form with defenses forced to not load the box and respect the passing game. The Titans also have a talented defense that can take the Titans deep in the playoffs with Manning under center. The Titans are in a very winnable division, which only helps their chance of luring him to Nashville. Peyton also attended the University of Tennessee, where his is revered for his time as a Volunteer.
Wildcards
New Orleans Saints
A native of New Orleans, Peyton could return to his home and play for the home team. While the Saints have had success ever since Drew Brees took over under center, including a Super Bowl victory, rumors are swirling that there is some issues with the contract extension. Logic would dictate that Brees will be returning to New Orleans. However, if Peyton Manning is your fall back if there is some reason the Saints can’t lock up Brees. The Saints are built to win now and with Manning they will not skip a beat.
Dallas Cowboys
The Tony Romo era could come to a halt quickly if Peyton Manning comes to town. The Cowboys are loaded with talented players and the thought of Peyton Manning under center has to give Jerry Jones a tingly feeling all over. I never count Jerry Jones out of anything, much like his NBA counterpart in Dallas, Mark Cuban. Peyton Manning makes the Cowboys a favorite with Green Bay in the NFC. Manning could be a calming factor that provides stability and the idea of throwing to Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten has to be an exciting thought to Jerry and the Cowboys. The Cowboys could move Romo for a piece to help the secondary.
If I were in Peyton Manning’s shoes, my choice would be either the San Francisco 49ers or Tennessee Titans. The 49ers are in a division that should be locked up for the next few seasons, a conference that features an easier road to the Super Bowl and a team that is ready to win now. The 49ers made it to the NFC championship with Alex Smith under center and the difference between he and Peyton Manning is vast.
With the Tennessee Titans, the talent level isn’t as high as what the 49ers feature but as a competitor that chance to play the Colts twice a year and keep your former team out of the playoffs has to excite Manning. With Manning under center the Titans have the ability to make a serious run at a super bowl title. Only time will tell what the future has in store for Peyton Manning. He should be released early next week after the Super Bowl hoopla is over. What happens from then will shake out after the draft, during free agency.
