Peyton Manning to Redskins Rumors: Why Peyton and 'Skins Should Avoid Each Other

Peyton Manning is likely to be a free agent soon, and there is no other franchise in the NFL that loves making a splash in free agency more than the Washington Redskins. However, that doesn’t mean the two parties should even consider working together, ever.

The Manning to the Redskins rumor started circulating earlier this week when both Trent Dilfer and Adam Schefter said the combination seems likely. While it is all speculation at this point, it is worthwhile to examine the potential pairing.

The Redskins have seen this scenario play out before. Owner Dan Snyder loves to spend big money in free agency, especially on big names that are past their prime years. Remember when the Redskins signed Deion Sanders? Exactly.

Washington doesn’t need Manning at this point in time. The team is in a great position in the 2012 NFL Draft to find a quarterback for the future, which is the smarter option. Renting Manning for one or two years and then having to start the search all over again just doesn’t make sense.

The team also has other issues that need to be addressed outside of the quarterback position. Manning doesn’t make mediocre receivers get open any better, and he certainly doesn’t improve the pass-blocking of the offensive line.

Finally, there’s the injury issue. Manning may never fully gain back his arm strength because of the nerves in his arm, and he is one hit away from another serious neck injury. He has undergone three neck operations already and has been cleared to play, but one wrong hit and Washington is starting over yet again.

From Manning’s perspective, the Redskins just don’t make sense as a viable option for him to finish out his career. They are better than his previous team, the Indianapolis Colts, but still only mustered a 6-10 record last season.

The Redskins have a lack of offensive play-makers in the passing game outside of tight end Fred Davis, who is a free agent. The offensive line is still bad, and the running backs are solid but none have emerged as true threats.

Additionally, Washington isn’t the most appealing place to play in the NFL. Why would Manning want to spend his last few years before retirement on a team that still isn’t close to contending?

Also keep in mind that playing for Washington would mean playing in the NFC East. This would mean that Manning would have to play against his little brother Eli Manning twice a year, which is something he doesn’t enjoy doing.

Other strong candidates for Manning if he hits the open market are the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals. Each of these teams has a better defense, a ridiculous play-maker at the wide receiver position and a solid running game and offensive line.

Out of these three, Washington should be on the bottom of Manning’s list.

While Manning has said he would not ask for a huge contract with guaranteed money, opting instead for an incentive contract based on performance, that doesn’t mean a team won’t swoop into the Manning sweepstakes and offer a massive contract that he simply can’t refuse.

Does Washington really want to enter a bidding war for a 36-year-old quarterback with a bad neck and a weak arm?

None of this is to say that Manning can’t return to his old self for a few years—crazier things have happened in the NFL. But that doesn’t mean he is worth the risk for a Redskins team that wouldn’t necessarily compete for a Super Bowl with Manning at his best.

The Washington Redskins need to continue to rebuild, not bring in another stop-gap as another futile attempt at building a franchise through free agency.

Peyton Manning likely wants to spend his last few years with a team that has a legit shot at a Super Bowl appearance—and the Washington Redskins aren’t that team.

For the Redskins and Manning, it would be wise for both parties to ignore the media hype machine that is already beginning and focus on more fruitful alternatives.

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