Peyton Manning Rumors: Why Star QB Won't Join Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins appear to be one of the front-runners for Peyton Manning if he decides not to re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts.

However, their lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball will have him looking another direction.

Mike Jones of the Washington Post wrote last Tuesday:

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Would Manning really want to come into a situation where the cupboard is as bare as it is in Washington? The pitch to Manning likely would center around how free agents would want to come join him and improve his supporting cast. But that's still a lot of uncertainty. And Manning doesn't have time to rebuild. He'll be 36 in March. He wants to contend for titles as the sun begins to set on his career.

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The truth is, there aren't a lot of interested teams that will be able to contend for a title with Manning under center in 2012.

But the Redskins are also trailing a lot of teams in the receiving department.

The Redskins sported a trio of Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth last season. Moss is clearly declining at 32 years of age, Gaffney isn't a top wideout and Stallworth has fallen off the face of the earth.

Not a whole lot to get excited about if you're Peyton Manning.

And while the Redskins' defense is clearly an up-and-coming unit, the team still allowed 22.9 points per game last season, 21st in the league. Let's just say Manning isn't going to go to the Redskins because of their defense.

A team like the Miami Dolphins doesn't seem to have much of an advantage over the Redskins, but it does have some things to offer Manning.

First of all, the Dolphins won six of their last nine games last season, despite sporadic quarterback play. They also have a Pro Bowl receiver in Brandon Marshall. And there's the fact that their defense was actually pretty good last season, giving up just 19.6 points per game (sixth in the NFL).

The fact that Manning has a condo in South Beach doesn't hurt, either.

The Redskins may be one of the front-runners for Manning's services this offseason, but they aren't the front-runner.