Indianapolis Colts: Ranking Every Team's Chances on Acquiring Peyton Manning

With sources saying Peyton Manning has been cleared to resume his NFL career, he will be playing in 2012. That's good news for me, even though I'm not a Colts fan. I'm actually a Broncos fan, and yes, he has killed us over the years, but I've always liked Peyton. He's a hell of a QB, and I like his personality too. The dude has a great sense of humor as well.

However, it still looks like he will be either traded or released from the Indianapolis Colts, and they will take Andrew Luck first overall in this year's draft. First off, if the Colts release him, they're nuts. Yes, they do owe him a lot, but when a QB like Manning hits the market, teams will call, and offer a LOT.

Anyway, I shall be ranking every team's chances on acquiring the four-time MVP.

San Francisco 49ers

If this were to happen, and Manning recovered fully and become a force in the NFL again, I would easily pick the 49ers to win next years Superbowl. They have an amazing defense, a great running back in Frank Gore, and while Alex Smith is improved, I think they could do a little better. Smith isn't horrible anymore, but he's not great either.

Think of it this way, however. Alex Smith has had a horrid career from 2005-2010, and the 49ers never replaced him. Why would they replace him now after he actually had a solid season for once? Also, they do also have Colin Kaepernick, who was drafted in the early second round last year.

Don't count on it.

Chances: 5 percent

Chicago Bears

It would be pretty interesting to see Manning go to the Chicago Bears, but I don't see them trading for him at all. Jay Cutler is a good QB. They need to build more talent around him, not replace him with someone who's 35 years old. Plus, with what they gave up for Cutler back when they traded for him from the Denver Broncos, he should be there more than just three seasons.

Not gonna happen.

Chances: 0 percent

Cincinatti Bengals

We can all agree the Bengals won't do it. Two reasons actually.

1. They're not a team that's largely known for making big trades.Even if they did need a QB, I couldn't see them trade for Manning. Sure, they have two first round picks, but still.

2: They have that one guy who had a good rookie season who wears No. 14. I know he went to TCU, but what was his name?

They wouldn't replace Andy Dalton. Not happening.

Chances: 0 percent

Buffalo Bills

Here's one destination that could make some sense, but would be unlikely. I don't think they will give up on Ryan Fitzpatrick, though. If they did, it would be smart to trade him, and not make him a backup. I don't really see Buffalo being able to do all that, but so far on this list, this one makes the most sense.

Chances: 20 percent

Denver Broncos

To most people, this destination would make sense, but I'll tell you why it won't happen. The Denver Broncos are not a team that will go out and trade for a huge name like Peyton Manning.

Sure, you could tell me Tim Tebow isn't the answer, and they could do better. Don't give up on him though. His receivers do drop passes a lot, and John Elway, currently the team's vice president, will probably work with him in the offseason, but I'll save my opinion about Tebow for some other time. For now, this is about Manning.

Sure, Elway did say that Tebow's the 2012 starter, but the Broncos are in the market for a QB, but that doesn't mean they'll start for Denver. Tim Tebow and practice squad member Adam Weber are the only QB's on the roster that are under contract. Brady Quinn won't be back, so the Broncos do need a backup QB.

I believe they're committed to Tebow. They won't bring Manning in.

Chances: 5 percent

Cleveland Browns

This one is an interesting one to talk about. Sure, the Browns would be a much better team with a QB like Peyton Manning, and they do have one first round pick, but here's why they won't. IMO, them the St. Louis Rams, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have the worst receiving set in the NFL. Greg Little did have 60 catches, but he had a lot of dropped passes too. He would be a No. 2 receiver on most teams at best.

Sure, Colt McCoy isn't the greatest, but replace the receivers, not the QB. I also think they would more likely take Robert Griffin III in the draft instead of trade for Manning. I don't think they'll take Griffin either, but it's more likely, IMO.

Chances: 15 percent

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

True, they do have a new head coach now, but that doesn't mean Josh Freeman is going to be replaced. Freeman has potential, if you ask me. His 2010 season proved it, and while he sucked last season, I think it's too early for him to be replaced. Not happening.

Chances: 5 percent

Arizona Cardinals

Here's the one so far on this list that I think actually COULD be possible. The Kevin Kolb experiment easily failed, and the Cardinals struggled again in 2011. He's really injury prone as well, and has shown he's not the guy that will make the Arizona Cardinals a good team again.

I do kind of like John Skelton, and if the Cardinals traded for Manning, that would mean Manning could play there for two or three years, Skelton sits on the bench and learns from one of the leagues best, then when Manning retires, he would be improved. It worked for that one guy who plays for the Green Bay Packers who I will mention later in this article, so it could work here.

Chances: 65 percent

San Diego Chargers

N.G.H.T.H.P.R (Not gonna happen, they have Philip Rivers)

Chances: 0 percent

Kansas City Chiefs

Here's another one that could be possible. Matt Cassel is obviously not the answer in Kansas City, and they really could do better. Sure, they'd have to trade Cassel first, but I think they will have some interest in getting Peyton. Don't be surprised if they call about him.

Chances: 40 percent

Dallas Cowboys

I think they could be a dark-horse candidate for Peyton. Jerry Jones is known for making big trades, and getting the guys he wants. It's unclear if they've given up on Tony Romo, but they're never gonna win a Super Bowl with him as their QB. He's not terrible, but they could do better.

Chances: 35 percent

Miami Dolphins

I do like Matt Moore actually. He's not a franchise QB, but he can surely help a team that needs a QB. He turned around the Dolphins season after Chad Henne went winless. First we thought Miami would be in the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes, but after Moore took over as the starter, that quickly went to rest. I can see the Dolphins get a new QB this offseason, and Manning could be a potential target, but I think it's more likely they'll draft a QB, since they do have a low draft pick in the first and second. They could be a possible destination for Ryan Tannehill or Nick Foles, but I won't rule Manning out either.

Chances: 30 percent

Philadelphia Eagles

I don't think replacing Michael Vick would be the greatest idea right now. Yes, he's not gonna be able to run forever, and he had a disappointing 2011, after the best season of his career (if you ask me). Yes he's injury prone, and the Eagles will need a backup QB since Vince Young probably won't stay, but the Eagles need a lot of things before they need a starting QB. This isn't happening.

Chances: 3 percent

Atlanta Falcons

Right now, a great young QB is a better option for the Falcons than a 35-year-old, but elite QB when healthy. Plus, even if they WANTED to replace Matt Ryan, they don't have a first round pick this year, so that would make it tougher to trade for Manning.

Chances: 0 percent

New York Giants

It would be really unfortunate for Eli Manning to take his team to the Super Bowl, then get replaced by his older brother. Fortunately for Eli, he's a great QB, and the Giants front office aren't idiots.

Chances: 0 percent

Jacksonville Jaguars

What a slap in the face this would be to the Indianapolis Colts. To get rid of your franchise QB, and have him go to a divisional rival in Jacksonville. I don't think they're ready to give up on Blaine Gabbert though. He's not that great, but the Jaguars should probably improve the WR set before they make a final decision on Gabbert. However, with new ownership and a new head coach, I'll give them a little bit of a chance, but not much.

Chances: 5 percent

New York Jets

The New York Jets are my favorite to trade or sign Peyton Manning. I'm not sure how the Jets front office feels about Mark Sanchez, but certain unnamed players in the locker room have already ripped him, and asked for Peyton Manning.

The Jets do have a talented team. They're just in need of an elite QB. Sanchez will never take a team to a Super Bowl. Yes, he did go to the AFC Championship twice, but look at all the recent QB's that have played in Super Bowls: Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner. What do they all have in common? You could argue that Roethlisberger and Eli Manning aren't elite QB's, but the rest are. Great QB play gets you into the Super Bowl. 

Also, the Jets are known for making big trades. I could easily see them trade for Peyton.

Chances: 70 percent

Detroit Lions

Even if Matt Millen was still in charge of the Detroit Lions, he wouldn't replace Matthew Stafford.

Chances: 0 percent

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers. 'Nuff said.

Chances: 0 percent

Carolina Panthers

I think they're set with Cam Newton at QB, thank you.

Chances: 0 percent

New England Patriots

Tom Brady. 'Nuff said.

Chances: 0 percent

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders only have two draft picks in this year's draft, partly thanks to October's Carson Palmer trade. If they wanted to acquire Manning through a trade, they would need to send someone like Darren McFadden, or trade a lot of next year's picks. If they never traded for Palmer, this would be possible, but they did, so now it's not.

Chances: 0 percent

St. Louis Rams

Yes, Bradford had a disappointing 2011 season, after being the offensive rookie of the year in 2010, but you don't give up on first round draft picks after two seasons, especially if they went first overall, and especially if you need receivers badly. Brandon Lloyd will probably go to the Patriots since Josh McDaniels is now there again, so they're gonna need to draft a WR or two. This ain't happening.

Chances: 0 percent

Baltimore Ravens

If you ask me, the Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the NFL that doesn't have an great or elite QB. Joe Flacco is a good QB, but that's it. If they had an elite QB like Peyton Manning, they would be winning the Super Bowl every season. But the Ravens aren't the type of team that would trade for a huge name player like Manning, and would draft one instead.

Chances: 1 percent

Washington Redskins

This one could easily happen as well. The Redskins would be a much improved team if they were able to get a guy like Peyton Manning. You're not gonna win many games with Rex Grossman or John Buck as your QB, and the Redskins should know this. Dan Snyder is the type of guy who loves to make a big move, or spend money on free agents.

I could also see them draft Robert Griffin III in April as well. If the Redskins don't have a new starting QB by the time the season starts, I will be very shocked.

Chances: 60 percent

New Orleans Saints

He threw the game winning touchdown pass to the Saints in Super Bowl 44, but he's not gonna win games for them full-time. That's what Drew Brees does.

Chances: 0 percent

Seattle Seahawks

I believe the Seahawks could do better than Tavaris Jackson, but they seem pretty committed to him, so it doesn't seem like Peyton Manning will take his talents to the Northwest.

Chances: 5 percent

Pittsburgh Steelers

1: The Steelers obviously don't need a QB.

2: If they did, they'd draft one. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their drafting skills, not bringing in free agents or trading for players.

Chances: 0 percent

Houston Texans

Yes, Matt Schaub is injury prone, but you don't replace him if he's a great QB that could take you to a Super Bowl in the future. Plus, it's unlikely he would be traded to a divisional rival. If he's released, that's a different story.

Chances: 0 percent

Tennessee Titans

The Titans need anything but a QB right now. They have a solid starter in Matt Hasslebeck (who I think will probably leave) and first round draft pick, and backup, Jake Locker. They drafted Locker to be their franchise QB, and I think he easily has the potential to do it.

Chances: 0 percent

Minnesota Vikings

They just drafted Christian Ponder in the first round last year. He struggled at times, but also showed potential. No need to replace him.

Chances: 0 percent