NFL Rumors: Dispelling the NFL's Biggest Offseason Myths

Peyton Manning will likely play for another NFL team in 2012, regardless of how many neck surgeries he’s endured.

In a day and age where time shrinks with just a click of a button, rumors fly at a rapid pace, and the NFL rumor mill is spinning quite fast these days.

With that said, this slideshow is an attempt to put the big rumors to rest and give methodical reasoning to predicted conclusions.

Here’s to putting those rumors to rest and predicting seven offseason outcomes.

Manning Will Play Again, but Probably for Another Team

While I believe that Peyton Manning is destined to become one of the greatest coaches of all time, it's simply not his time to do that yet.

Manning has had four neck procedures, and while his future is the biggest question of the offseason, fans can rest assured that he will return to the field.

I don't think it's in Manning's DNA to walk away, and with reports saying that Manning's arm is a noodle, do you believe his competitive nature is going to let that slide?

I'm not saying it's the right move, because neck injuries are very serious, but you haven't seen the last of No. 18 on the field, and next year he'll probably be sporting another team's jersey.

Drew Brees Will Renew his Contract with the Saints

Going from one elite quarterback to another, Drew Brees will stay in New Orleans next season with the Saints.

Brees' offseason story doesn't carry the weight or as many questions as Manning's, because everyone generally feels that Brees and the Saints will reach an agreement.

Brees has made it clear that he wants to retire as a Saint, and New Orleans will do everything in its power to keep him there.

Brees' 5,476 passing yards in a single-season record in 2011 proves that he's one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and Brees wearing anything other than black and gold makes absolutely no sense.

Steelers will Keep Mendenhall and Ward

Can the Pittsburgh Steelers keep Rashard Mendenhall and Hines Ward on the team?

This is a tough one, and I'm sure every Pittsburgh Steelers fan out there has some very strong opinions about this subject. However, for the good or for the better, I believe the Steelers will keep Mendenhall and Ward on the team.

Ward wants to retire as a Steeler and is willing to take a pay cut that would restructure his contract for $4 million a year. I think the Steelers want to do right by him and keep him on the staff, so they'll find a way to do that.

As for Mendenhall, it's being reported that he'll miss the 2012 season, and that means there will be money wasting away on the bench for the Steelers. I still believe the Steelers will keep him, though, because a grinder like Mendenhall, who averages 4.1 yards per carry, is hard to come by.

Tim Tebow will Start for Broncos Next Season

Tim Tebow proved that he can win in 2011, and he'll be the starter for the Denver Broncos in 2012.

There's a lot of speculation going around surrounding Tebow's future in Denver as the starting quarterback. Well, allow me to make an easy prediction and say that Tebow will be the starter next season.

I mean, how could he not? He was the feel-good story in 2011, he proved that he could throw the ball down the field effectively against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs and with his work ethic you're almost guaranteed to see a much-improved Tebow come next season.

Considering the impact that he had in the city of Denver last season, this one's a no-brainer.

Ravens Will Sign Flacco to Long-Term Deal

Even though this isn't one of the bigger NFL stories right now, fans should still keep an eye on Joe Flacco's contract situation.

The news broke Tuesday that Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens are in talks about renegotiating his contract, which expires at the end of the 2012 season.

That brings up the question about Flacco's status.

Is Flacco elite? Does he warrant a top-10 quarterback salary?

Considering how fans generally perceive Flacco and how he normally flies under the radar, I find this to be an intriguing story. I also find this to be a story that ends with Flacco signing a long-term contract with the Ravens for a substantial amount of money.

Matt Flynn Will Play for Miami Dolphins

Once Brees re-signs with the Saints, Matt Flynn will be the hottest quarterback commodity on the market.

The Miami Dolphins have made it clear that they want a quarterback that can lead them over the hump, and Flynn is that guy.

In Flynn's one start in 2011, he threw for a Green Bay Packers record 480 yards and six touchdowns. With his former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin becoming the head coach for the Dolphins, the pieces are coming together for Flynn to become the Dolphins' next franchise quarterback.

DeSean Jackson Will Return as Eagle

Boy, 2011 did not end very well for DeSean Jackson.

Jackson was heavily criticized for the way he played against the Seattle Seahawks, as he showed his frustration by not going 100 percent during the game.

Even though that went down last season, the Eagles have no interest in letting Jackson go, and they'll either place a franchise tag on him or sign him to a contract extension.