Peyton Manning Rumors: Mike Shanahan and 4-Time MVP Are a Perfect Fit

Peyton Manning and Mike Shanahan would be a match made in football heaven. If these two teamed up, the Redskins would be instant contenders—assuming Peyton's arm is somewhere near 100 percent when he returns. 

The potential of this pairing does not appear to be lost on many and the Redskins must be considered the front-runners for this future Hall of Fame QB in the likely event that he becomes a free agent. 

The Rumors

There are a bunch of rumors linking Manning to the Redskins. Mike Freeman of CBS Sports sums up that sentiment: 

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Speaking of Peyton, everyone I speak to in the NFL -- and I mean just about everyone -- believes if Manning becomes a free agent, the Washington Redskins will sign him.

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The rumors make perfect sense and not just because Shanahan and Manning could work well together. The Redskins will have cap space and a glaring hole at QB. 

You can take my word on the promise of this pairing, or you could take the word of a living legend. 

Steve Young's Take

Count Steve Young among those who think Manning to the Redskins is a good fit.

Young was recently on ESPN 980’s Sports Fix with hosts Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro. They asked why Manning would be a good fit in Washington. Here is Young, as quoted by Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post: 

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"He [Shanahan] can call plays like no one I’ve ever seen. He was just amazing in my professional career. So first of all, when you talk about quarterbacks and who could really do something with Peyton Manning, in my mind it’s Mike Shanahan...It’s one of those places where it seems like it’s all in place."

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It was then brought up that Shanahan's reputation as a a QB coach has taken a hit. Here is Young's response:

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"Let me just tell you this: Mike is a phenomenal playcaller, but he wants a quarterback that will protect his incredible ability to call plays,” Young said. “In other words, I’m gonna call a series of plays, I’m gonna put combinations together that are a little bit outlandish, but you need to protect me. Most playcallers have to go the other way—I’ve got to call plays because my quarterback’s not gonna protect me and I’m gonna protect him. That relationship is vital."

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Why Young is Right

Shanahan has tried to lead his team with some of the worst QB play in the league the last two seasons. That is going to derail any coach. 

With a smart QB who can be an on-field leader and make the proper reads, Shanahan will have the luxury of implementing an offense that is dangerous and not afraid of making mistakes. 

As Young pointed out, he has not had a player like this since John Elway. And the Elway-Shanahan era is all we need as an example of the promise of the potential Manning-Shanahan marriage. 

Shanahan has proven he can run a deadly offensive attack with a competent and committed veteran QB, and unlike Donovan McNabb, Manning is both of those things. 

Peyton would instantly make every player on this offense better. The offensive line will not have to protect as long, the receivers will not have to get as open and the RBs will not have a defense dialed-in to stop them.