Peyton Manning Rumors: Manning Can't Let Eli Stop Possible Move to Redskins

Should Peyton Manning be released within the next month, the record-breaking quarterback will need to keep all of his options open if he wants to play football again. That's why he can't let a possible division rivalry with brother Eli stop him from joining the Washington Redskins.

John Keim of the Washington Examiner reports brotherly love could very well factor into Manning's final decision:

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One NFL source said that it was tough for Manning to play his younger brother in the past; would he want to do that twice a year if he has another choice? If he signed with Miami, he could stay in a conference he knows and face teams he’s familiar with.

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The news isn't overly surprising since Manning avoided the spotlight at all costs on Sunday so his younger brother could bask in the glory of another championship. That said, he can't afford to burn any bridges just in case it turns out Washington is his only option.

As Keim mentioned, Miami is heavily rumored to be looking at Manning as an option should he become available, but nobody knows for sure because teams can't talk about players on other rosters. So there are no guarantees in this scenario.

Anther thing about the Redskins that nobody is talking about is how close to playoff contention they really are. Even though the Giants won the Super Bowl, they only won nine games during the regular season. The Cowboys and Eagles each won eight.

Washington was able to win five games despite brutal performances from the quarterback position. Add Manning to the mix along with a couple draft picks and minor signings to fill out the roster, and the Redskins instantly become a contender in the NFC East.

That's an opportunity that shouldn't be thrown aside just because his brother happens to play in the same division.

If anything, that should give Manning even more determination to get healthy. There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about Eli overtaking Peyton as the best Manning quarterback, and the big brother in Peyton can't like hearing that type of talk after all he has accomplished.

The league would also love to see the Manning brothers face off twice per season. It would be huge for ratings and would keep both guys in the spotlight so they can keep landing those lucrative endorsement deals.

So maybe the Redskins aren't that bad of an option for Manning after all.