Peyton Manning Rumors: Rams Reportedly Have Discussed Adding QB Next Season

The Los Angeles Rams may make a big offseason splash at the quarterback position by landing legendary signal-caller Peyton Manning.  

ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday the Rams have discussed the possibility of bringing Manning aboard for next season—provided the 39-year-old veteran still wants to play.

Manning is still under contract with the Denver Broncos through 2016, but Schefter reported most around the NFL don't expect him to return to the team, regardless of what happens in Super Bowl 50.

Asked if the impending Super Bowl showdown with the Carolina Panthers will be his final game, Manning said, per Schefter, "I've tried to stay in the moment, tried not to look back. ... Just tried to stay in the moment."

The Rams haven't had a viable long-term solution under center since the heydays of Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger. They did land a centerpiece in the 2015 draft to build their offense around in first-round pick Todd Gurley, but Los Angeles needs a field general to complement its dynamic tailback.

Manning certainly doesn't present anything more than a stopgap starter whose presence would suggest the Rams are geared toward a win-now mentality. Although it doesn't seem like the most sustainable plan, it may be best for the short term.

Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd believes Manning in L.A. makes a lot of sense:

With the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, L.A. may be far enough down the order to miss out on one of the top signal-callers. It also invested a third-round pick in Sean Mannion last year.

After a high-profile trade to land Nick Foles didn't pan out, Rams coach Jeff Fisher installed former undrafted free agent Case Keenum as the starter during the 2015 campaign. Although Keenum and Foles are still early in their careers, neither is as accomplished or commands as much respect as Manning does.

The intangibles, intelligence and resume Manning boasts would bring immediate optimism to a franchise that's struggled to get over the hump in recent years, hovering just below .500 in each of Fisher's four seasons.

Making matters difficult for L.A. is a tough NFC West division featuring the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, who both made the playoffs this past season. Giving Mannion a year to develop and learn behind Manning would be invaluable and enhance his chances of becoming a starting successor.

But the Broncos have the ball in their court. It would only cost $2.5 million in dead cap money to release Manning before next season, per Spotrac. Denver also has Manning's backup, Brock Osweiler, set to hit free agency, which makes its own QB situation murky.

Injuries and waning physical skills led Manning to throw nine touchdowns to 17 interceptions during the regular season. He must prove he has enough arm strength and is healthy enough to proceed for the Rams to seriously pursue him should he become available.