NFL Rumors: Which of the Peyton Manning Rumors Makes the Most Sense?

With the Super Bowl over, Peyton Manning mania threatens to reach Brett Favre saturation levels at breakneck speed. Whether the aging veteran is healthy or still making his way back, there has been plenty of interest around the league already, especially for a guy who is still under contract. This is only a preview—the feeding frenzy will really begin when the Colts release him. Which scenario makes the most sense?

Brotherly Love... and Rivalry

Why He will Land Here

Incredibly, the Redskins actually have cap space to spare this offseason. Considering Dan Snyder's penchant for spending big money and that Washington has been a quarterback-starved franchise for quite a while, Manning has a serious shot of landing in D.C. Mike Shanahan was able to get John Elway over the Super Bowl hump in the twilight of his career, and maybe he can do the same for Manning.

Why He Will Land Elsewhere

Two words: big brother. No, not the government or the defunct reality television show, but rather Peyton's role with respect to Eli. The younger Manning is coming off his second Super Bowl victory which has propelled him past his older brother in the minds of many, and the prospect of playing him—and possibly losing to him—twice a year may be enough to keep Manning out of the NFC East, no matter how much money is being thrown his way. The Redskins also do not have much in the way of offensive weapons right now, but their cap flexibility could be used to remedy that.

Plausibility Index: 8/10

Flocking South for Career's Winter

Why He Will Land Here

Sunny Miami is a good draw for any free agent. Indeed, Manning has been rumored to prefer retirement in South Florida, and he already owns a condo in the area. Stephen Ross has made no bones about making Peyton his top priority, and the Dolphins have been in the doldrums of mediocre quarterbacking since the late '90s. The Dolphins offer a solid roster around Manning, and with some good drafting and smart free-agent acquisitions, they could be primed for a playoff run before Manning even signs on the dotted line. 

Why He Will Land Elsewhere

As much as Ross wants Manning, he does not have a good history of closing the deal. The Dolphins organization does not have the best reputation around the league right now, and that might be enough to turn Manning off. Miami's cap space is also a limitation—if Manning signs a big contract they may be handcuffed when it comes to filling the holes on the rest of the team.

Then there is the matter of playing in the AFC East and against nemesis Tom Brady twice a year, though beating Brady could be a motivator. There is also the matter of Joe Philbin being a rookie head coach, whereas other teams have more proven leaders.

Plausibility Index: 7/10

Migrating West

Why He Will Land Here

Larry Fitzgerald. Indoor stadium. Warm locale. NFC West competition. All of these things could add up to Peyton's migration westward. The Cardinals have a good, young team in need of a good quarterback. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton have not done the job at the position, and signing Manning while keeping Skelton is a good way to manage the risk for Arizona.

Why He Will Fly Elsewhere

While the Kolb experiment seems to be a failure, the Cardinals gave up an awful lot to pull the plug after one injury-riddled season. Admitting defeat so early may not be in the cards in Arizona, and there is no way they commit all that money to two players at one starting position. The Cardinals also have an atrocious offensive line, albeit they will attempt to address their needs in the draft and free agency. Manning may not want to migrate so far west on top of it all. Arizona is also over the salary cap, however, getting rid of Kolb would help that situation.

Plausibility Index: 7/10

Migrating West, Part Deux

Why He Will Land Here

The Seahawks may be the most complete team in need of a quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson is a career backup posing as a starter, and the Seahawks have the least firepower to trade up for a quarterback in this year's draft class. Seattle also has a solid defense and some good skill players to help lure Manning.

Sidney Rice is an underrated weapon who should be back fully healthy, and Doug Baldwin was very good in his rookie season after being left at the draft altar. Marshawn Lynch has come into his own, rushing very well despite opposing defense lining up to stop the run. To top it all off, Seattle has good cap room, though they might be saving a big chunk to retain Lynch.

Why He Will Fly Elsewhere

As in Arizona, the offensive line is not very good, rated in the bottom five in pass protection according to Pro Football Focus. Again, free agency and the draft would theoretically be utilized to address the line, but there are other teams with much better lines. Also, moving to the Pacific Northwest is the antithesis to retiring in South Florida, where Mrs. Manning is rumored to prefer living.

Plausibility Index: 8/10

Signing with the Enemy

Why He Will Land Here

With a little tweaking, the Jets have the roster best-primed to make a Super Bowl run, particularly on defense. The offensive line anchored by D'Brickashaw Furgeson and Nick Mangold is solid, and Manning might make better use of Santonio Holmes than Mark Sanchez ever did. Despite Rex Ryan's affection for Sanchez, the Jets need to upgrade the position, and Manning is the most realistic choice. 

Why He Will Fly Elsewhere

There are two big obstacles for Manning in New York: the salary cap, and Sanchez. The Jets are well over the salary cap, albeit player cuts and restructuring will help. Still, the Jets will be hard-pressed to give Manning anywhere near what other teams could offer.

Then there is the little matter of Sanchez, behind whom Rex Ryan has thrown his considerable weight. While Ryan may just be trying to support his current quarterback publicly to maintain his confidence, he may actually want to give the three-year starter every opportunity to win. As with the Dolphins, playing against Brady and the AFC East twice a year may or may not be a detractor in Manning's mind as well.

Plausibility Index: 5/10

Staying Home

Why He Will Land Here

The fact is Jim Irsay would be foolish not to do his due diligence on Manning. If the career Colt proves healthy sooner than anticipated, that gives Indianapolis options, albeit risky ones. Should the Colts be willing to keep Peyton, they could still take Andrew Luck and groom him for the future, at heavy cost for the quarterback position. They could also trade down for a king's ransom of picks and revitalize the roster around Manning.

Why He Will Fly Elsewhere

Divorce proceedings have already begun, with public salvos being fired by Manning's camp and Irsay himself. While Irsay also insists they still have a great relationship, it may have been damaged beyond repair, even if Manning is healthy. The real reason Manning will not stay in Indy is his bloated contract — unless he is willing to severely restructure that contract and its $28 million bonus, the Colts have no business keeping such a risk on their roster for so much money. Andrew Luck is a once-in-a-generation player, like Manning was, and forsaking Luck for a few more years of Manning could be disastrous in the long run. Indianapolis is ready for a youth movement.

Plausibility Index: 2/10

Going out to Pasture

Why He Will Land Here

Manning has had three neck surgeries in less than three years. His neck vertebrae are fused, and while he may be medically cleared to play professional football, the risk of injury to that vital part of the body may weigh too heavily on the veteran.

The nerves in the Laser Rocket's Arm have not regenerated to a point where he can play in the NFL just yet, and they may never will. Few quarterbacks have succeeded at Manning's age, and he has a daunting list of obstacles the others did not have to overcome. Money should be no real concern; Manning has made a fortune as a player and will make plenty more as a coach or commentator.

Why He Will Fly Elsewhere

Competitive fire. If Manning believes he has enough left in the tank and his body rehabilitates well, he will not go down without a fight. Peyton's little brother just won his second Super Bowl, and I imagine the elder wants to try to catch the younger and perhaps surpass him. Until last year, Manning and Brady were locked in an epic battle of career comparison, but the scales have tilted in Brady's favor. He will have to land in the right situation, though, to be able to overcome all this.

Plausibility Index: 3/10