5 Quarterbacks We'd Most Like to See Peyton Manning Mentor

At this point, nobody knows for sure where Peyton Manning is going to play next season.

What we do know is that it's a long shot he stays in Indianapolis as a member of the Colts, mainly due to the $28 million extension the Colts have to pay him on March 8th and the probable entry of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck to the organization in late April. 

But remember, anything's possible.

Whether he stays in Indy or is wearing a different helmet in 2012, Manning will mentor some young quarterback that will ultimately replace him.  

Which quarterbacks would we most like to see No. 18 take under his wing?

(The following quarterbacks play for teams that may not necessarily be in the "Manning Sweepstakes." They are solely the young signal-callers I'd like to see him mentor.)

5. Kevin Kolb

Kolb is undoubtedly a talented young quarterback who has the natural ability to be a reliable guy in the NFL. 

His early success in a backup role with the Philadelphia Eagles ultimately pushed him into a starting situation before he was truly ready. 

Kolb an ideal candidate for a mentor. He really needs one, and who better to mentor him on the nuances of playing the quarterback position than Peyton Manning? 

4. Mark Sanchez

Sanchez is playing under quite the media microscope in New York City, and he now has to deal with the other Big Apple team winning its second Super Bowl title in five years. 

He's only 25 years old and we've seen him play well, especially in the playoffs early in his career. 

However, his time as an NFL starter as been marred by inconsistent accuracy and calmness delivering the football. 

Manning's a master at both of those facets of being an elite quarterback. 

On the Jets, Manning could lead by example and work on the mental side of the game as well as how to prepare like one of the best.  

3. Sam Bradford

Bradford and Manning are similar in many ways. 

Both entered the NFL has highly-touted quarterbacks and were the first picks in their respective drafts. 

Each player has a good and accurate arm, capable of making all the needed NFL throws. 

Bradford began his time in the league as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, but regressed in his second season. 

He's in an important time of his career, when he can either take the next step forward or once again disappoint and lose more confidence. 

Manning's wisdom and knowledge of how to handle instantly becoming the face of a franchise could certainly help Bradford in his development. 

2. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL since coming into the league in 2008. He's put up respectable stats, and his team has been successful. 

Yet he hasn't been able to take that next stride into the "elite" category and hasn't won a playoff game. 

The mentoring from Manning would prove to be extremely beneficial for an immensely-talented and hard-working guy like Ryan. 

By learning the small intricacies from No. 18, he'd have a realistic shot to go from good to great.  

1. Andrew Luck

Would this be a match made in heaven or what? 

Football heaven. 

Quarterback heaven.

Manning has been the gold standard in NFL signal-callers for the last decade in terms of his execution, attention to detail and overall poise in the pocket. 

Luck is said to be the best QB prospect since Manning, and No. 18 could really help the youngster in his pressure-packed transition from the Pac-12 to the NFL. 

A storybook passing of the torch.