Peyton Manning Rumors: Rex Ryan Wise to Avoid Questions About Star QB

The New York Jets are one of the teams potentially eying Peyton Manning this season given the Mark Sanchez Experiment is, well, still an experiment.

And, of course, Rex Ryan has been getting bombarded with questions.

When asked about possibly pursuing Manning on Wednesday, he noted he couldn't say anything, citing NFL rules that forbid coaches from commenting on players under contract with other teams.

Ryan said, via the New York Daily News, "I've paid enough fines this year."

But even if Ryan could talk about Manning, you get the feeling he wouldn't show much interest. After all, he's always stood by Sanchez and called him an "ascending talent" Wednesday.

You can bet that Ryan and the Jets will be avoiding these types of questions if Manning hits free agency this offseason. Some may believe Sanchez isn't the answer (including his own teammates), but it's pretty clear by now that Ryan and the Jets have made their confidence in the third-year pro known.

There's also the fact there are plenty of teams more desperate for Manning than the Jets, including the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and even Cleveland Browns. There's no way the Jets are going to outbid these teams.

That's why rumors of Manning potentially going to the Jets are far-fetched. Yes, the Jets are one of the possible teams where he'd have a good chance of going on a playoff run, but the Jets actually seem fine with the idea of riding it out with Sanchez.

Plus, there's also the fact Manning has reportedly undergone four neck surgeries in the last two years. If the Jets sign Manning, they not only alienate Sanchez, there's a possibility Manning won't even last the season. No Jets fan wants a distracted Sanchez getting reinserted into the starting squad with the playoffs potentially on the line.

You can bet the Jets are hoping this talk dies down, with Ryan being the silent front man for the organization.