NFL Rumors: Odds for the Top 5 Destinations for Peyton Manning This Offseason

With the tension between Peyton Manning and the Colts organization growing, there's a possibility that Manning will be playing football in 2012 in a city not named Indianapolis.

While it's not clear what Manning's true feelings are about his situation in Indianapolis, it is clear that it's an uncomfortable situation for him and apparently a lot of other players within the Colts organization.

With the Colts' interest in 2012 draft prospect Andrew Luck increasing and Manning looking like a liability with the $28 million the Colts will need to pay to keep him on the roster, the possibility of Manning donning a jersey in 2012 that's not a Colts jersey is increasing as well.

Ahead is a list of five destinations for Manning that make the most sense: 

Dallas Cowboys: Odds 500 to 1

While the Dallas Cowboys don't necessarily need Peyton Manning, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will undoubtedly be interested in putting a star on Manning's helmet in 2012.

The Cowboys weren't exactly terrible in 2012, with an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs by just one game, but one of their biggest weaknesses was the inconsistent play of quarterback Tony Romo. While Romo threw for 4,184 yards and 31 touchdowns, he also single-handedly lost a few games with untimely interceptions.

Interestingly enough, Jones recently made a comment regarding the difference between the Cowboys and the Giants being the play of Eli Manning. Good news for Jerry is that he might very well have a shot at grabbing the other Manning brother this offseason, if Peyton does indeed become a free agent.

The two biggest hurdles facing the Cowboys acquiring Manning this offseason are the facts that the Cowboys already have a decent quarterback, and they don't currently have the cap space it will take to get Manning.

It would take an absolute miracle for Manning to don a Dallas jersey in 2012, but there's still a slim possibility that it could happen.

Odds: 500 to 1

Cleveland Browns: Odds 350 to 1

The Cleveland Browns have nowhere to go but up.

After a 4-12 season in 2012, in which many thought the Browns would be at least an above average team, the Browns need to head back to the drawing board if they want to become a playoff contender again.

The Colt McCoy experiment hasn't really panned out as of yet, and that could all change if the Browns were able to bring in Peyton Manning to help teach and mentor the young, yet full-of-potential McCoy.

The Browns have a lot of cap space moving ahead into the 2012 offseason which puts them in the picture for trying to grab Manning if he does indeed hit the free agency market. The biggest hurdle facing the Browns' attempt to grab Manning is that they don't have a lot of talent in place offensively speaking, which won't necessarily entice Manning.

There's no doubt that the Browns will at least try to land Manning this offseason, if he hits free agency, but the chances of Manning actually becoming a Brown are slim-to-none.

Odds: 500 to 1  

St. Louis Rams: Odds 250 to 1

Here's an interesting, albeit somewhat unrealistic possibility, Peyton Manning in a St. Louis Rams jersey to start the 2012 NFL season.

The Rams have a solid quarterback in Sam Bradford, but the one thing that hindered his college production is the same thing that is creeping up on him in the NFL, and that is his tendency to get injured. The fact that he seriously injured his shoulder at Oklahoma and injured his ankle this past season in the NFL has to raise some concern in St. Louis.

There is undoubtedly going to be some rebuilding in St. Louis with the Rams hiring Jeff Fisher as head coach. Could that rebuilding include demoting Bradford to the backup role, after acquiring Manning? It's a possibility because the Rams not only have the cap space, but they also have some legitimate talent at their skill positions to entice Manning.

The Rams have a solidified running attack with Steven Jackson, and they have the draft picks they need to add depth to their wide receiving corps that includes young talent like Brandon Lloyd and Brandon Gibson.

Sure, it would take some serious enticing to get Manning to St. Louis, but with Fisher as the head coach it's a somewhat realistic possibility. Signing Manning, if he's a free agent in 2012, would be a great move for the Rams' future, as Manning could mentor the young Bradford.

Odds: 250 to 1

Minnesota Vikings: Odds 125 to 1

Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder didn't look bad this year, but he sure didn't help the Vikings win a lot of games. The Vikings ended the 2012 season with a rough 3-13 record, which means it's still time to keep rebuilding.

I know when you think of the Vikings you don't think of Peyton Manning, but there are a few reasons why they could be an enticing fit for Manning, if he's a free agent in 2012. First of all, the Vikings play indoors, which is almost a must for Peyton, who was never really the same quarterback playing outdoors.

In addition to that somewhat silly reason is the fact that the Vikings have some serious offensive talent in running back Adrian Peterson, wide receiver Percy Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. That kind of offensive talent mixed with Manning's elite passing skill could turn the Vikings into a legitimate threat in the NFC overnight.

The Vikings also have enough cap room to lure Manning in, while still being able to keep a majority of their foundational talent. Just imagine the possibilities of Manning on the same team as Peterson. That's quite a one-two punch, isn't it.

The Vikings could very well be a sleeper candidate for Manning in 2012 if the Colts release him. Keep your eyes on Minnesota if Manning hits the free agency.

Odds: 125 to 1

New York Jets: Odds 50 to 1

There are two things that the New York Jets lacked this season that they absolutely must have moving forward into the 2012 season. Those two things are a legitimate NFL quarterback and leadership both on the field and in the locker room.

Good news for the Jets, Peyton Manning just happens to be both of those things. I know Jets owner Woody Johnson said that Mark Sanchez is the Jets' guy," but he would be making a huge mistake if he had the chance to make Peyton Manning a Jet, and he passed it up.

I know it feels trivial, but I think one of the biggest hurdles facing the Jets' landing Manning, if he's a free agent in 2012, is the fact that the Jets play outdoors on the East Coast. Manning consistently struggled in late regular-season and playoff games he played on the East Coast, because of the cold and often times brutal weather.

Aside from that hurdle, there's not much standing in the way of the Jets at least being able to throw the most realistic pitch to Manning in 2012. The Jets have solid offensive talent with running back Shonn Greene, wide receiver Santonio Holmes and tight end Dustin Keller, which could be enough to lure Manning to the Big Apple.

The Jets also have the most realistic chance of being a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the AFC, because of their staunch defense and the skill of their coaching staff.

Out of all the possible landing spots in 2012 for Manning, not named Indianapolis, New York has the most realistic chance of making Manning its starting quarterback.

Odds: 50 to 1