Peyton Manning Rumors: Miami Dolphins' Interest Indicates Grim Future with Colts

The Miami Dolphins' interest in Peyton Manning signals an end of an era with the Indianapolis Colts.

According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, "the Dolphins believe they have a realistic chance of luring Manning."

The future Hall of Famer is recovering from serious neck surgery that has turned his MVP-caliber talents into question marks heading into the 2012 offseason. Wrote Jackson about the Dolphins:

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...owner Stephen Ross is infatuated with the idea of signing him. The Dolphins believe they have a realistic chance of luring Manning, who owns a condo in South Beach and has an affinity for South Florida.

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Although Matt Moore played well for the Dolphins down the stretch of the 2011 regular season, going 6-6 as the starter following Chad Henne's season-ending injury, his 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions are hardly enough to warrant the franchise spot heading into next season.

According to Jackson and other sources, the Dolphins would be interested in taking a look at the Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback, Matt Flynn, when free agency begins on March 13. Flynn set Packers records in Week 17, when Green Bay was resting starters, throwing for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a shootout victory over the Detroit Lions.

Relations and intentions between Manning and the Colts front office are becoming more and more clear every day as free agency nears, and it is seeming more and more like No. 18 will be suiting up somewhere else for the first time in his pro career next season.

The estimated $28 million he is owed by the Colts is simply too much money based on his current health situation. At 35 years old, a neck injury is no joke, especially for a quarterback who is a sitting duck in the pocket.

Once the Colts settle on their new direction with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, they will part ways with the iconic passer, and when they do, the Miami Dolphins will be waiting to welcome him to South Beach.

There comes a time for every prolific NFL signal-caller to chase greener grass—take Joe Montana, Brett Favre and Johnny Unitas for example. After 14 seasons in Indianapolis, it's finally Peyton Manning's time.

Unless he does a 180 and decides to retire, the Dolphins' interest in his recovering shoulder indicates a grim future with the Colts.