Peyton Manning Rumors: New York Jets Would Be Perfect Fit for Legendary QB

As much as fans of Indianapolis and Peyton Manning in general don’t want to hear this, he will never play another game for the Colts again. Sorry.

With a $28 million bonus due on March 8, the Colts will not be able to trade him. The problem is that Manning is not healthy at this point and they will not spend that much money on an injured player. That means he walks.

For free.

As much as Rex Ryan and the Jets organization has protected young quarterback Mark Sanchez, they have to be salivating over the prospect of getting one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

They are not alone, as former Jets running back Curtis Martin told ESPNNewYork.com:

"

I'm not saying anything against Mark Sanchez, but Peyton Manning... I have a lot of respect for the guy. I played against him for a number of years. I wouldn't care who was on my team — if Peyton Manning was available, I would go after him. I’m very bullish on taking that chance. I don’t care if he’s 38, 36, whatever, I would be interested in taking that chance. At 35, 36, I’m definitely interested. You’re literally talking about one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. Him having a year off, the type of competitor Peyton Manning is, I think he’s going to come back and surprise everyone and be even stronger — if he can come back.

"

I agree 100 percent with Martin here. If New York can keep Sanchez while picking up Manning for nothing, it’s the definition of win-win.

Not only will the team be getting the kind of quarterback that could lead them to a Super Bowl in his first season with the team, they are getting a mentor to the heir apparent to the Jets QB throne.

Manning knows the AFC and would be close enough to his brother Eli for it to work on a personal level. While there are several options for Manning, with any team in the league that has any question mark at quarterback taking a shot at him, the veteran has to be smart and know his limits.

We don’t want Manning turning into Brett Favre. Just sign with the Jets, play until he can’t and then retire. End of story.

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