2012 NFL Free Agency: Will the 49ers Steal Peyton Manning?

The San Francisco 49ers are now in the mix for Peyton Manning.

According to a report on ESPN.com, the free-agent quarterback underwent a physical and threw passes for the team earlier this week. The Niners were expected to be in play for the quarterback, but when they initially showed no interest, most believed they were out of the running.

But with news that Manning went through a physical for the team, it seems that the defending NFC West champions are now the leaders in the clubhouse. If Manning ends up further west, the 49ers automatically assume the oh-so-coveted title of Super Bowl favorites.

They were so close in 2011, making it to the NFC Championship Game, losing in overtime to the New York Giants, 20-17.

I still wouldn’t count out the Denver Broncos. As this story continues to develop, the angles keep changing. The Denver Post is reporting that the Broncos are offering Manning a deal worth $90 million over five years.

Manning is friends with head coach John Fox, he admires and likes team executive John Elway and he will have the offense at his disposal. Creativity and innovation are two words that helped to define Manning during his time as a Colt. His ability to call audibles at the drop of a dime, or pretend that he was, is a part of his make-up as a quarterback.

Any team with common football sense will have enough intelligence to allow Peyton to be Peyton and the Broncos have obviously made a strong commitment to him that he can do just that.

But which team gives Manning the best chance to win right now? The 49ers.

They were one game away from making it to the Super Bowl last season and have all the right pieces in place to make another run at it. Denver still seems to be more than a few players away and I’m not sure if Manning is willing to wait for that team to come together.

San Francisco’s division, the NFC West, is getting better, but there will belong to the Niners again. If the team is able to earn a first-round bye again and draw at least one home game, the stage is set for Peyton to return to the NFL's promised land.