Indianapolis Colts Rumors: Trading Peyton Manning to Jets Would Be Crazy Move

Now that the Indianapolis Colts have officially secured the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, there are some major decisions to be made. Most notably, what to do with superstar quarterback Peyton Manning, who continues to recover from neck surgery.

One option that shouldn't even be considered is trading him to the New York Jets, who would be interested, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via PFT).

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Among other things, Manish believes that the Jets have an interest in Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, if/when Manning becomes available in the offseason.

This conflicts with Rex Ryan’s recent denial of interest in Manning. Then again, Ryan can’t say he’s interested in Manning, or Ryan will be facing tampering charges.

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The change from Mark Sanchez to Manning would be one of the biggest quarterback upgrades in league history and would actually give the Jets a chance to back up head coach Rex Ryan's bombastic guarantees.

That's something the Colts can't afford to let happen since both teams reside in the AFC. It would basically be self-destruction, if Manning is able to return at 100 percent of course.

Drafting Andrew Luck with the top picks is Indianapolis only viable choice. He's the best prospect since Manning and has the potential to lead the franchise for more than a decade in the same way. They simply can't pass that up.

The problem comes in when you consider that neither player will want to ride the pine next season. Trading Manning wouldn't be an easy choice after all he's done, but if it's their only option, the Colts need to send him to the NFC.

At least under that scenario, he wouldn't come back to haunt the Colts unless both teams reached the Super Bowl. Plus, Indianapolis is undergoing a minor rebuild right now that might become bigger depending on the new personnel officials that are brought in the replace the Polians.

Manning is just hoping to win another ring at this point in his career, and the Colts might not be the best team to help him make that happen. So maybe he'll actually welcome a trade if it means his defense won't be among the league's worst units.

Things are going to get very interesting for the Colts over the next couple months to say the least. Above all else, they need to make sure every decision that's made is in the best interest of the team in both the long- and short-term.

Trading Manning to the Jets certainly wouldn't accomplish that goal.