Peyton Manning: New York Jets and 5 Teams That Need the 4-Time MVP

Peyton Manning will play in the NFL next season, but it won't be for the Indianapolis Colts.

Colt's owner Jim Irsay has tarnished the relationship with the man who brought a Super Bowl championship to his franchise, and it's time for Manning to move on.

Indianapolis owes the 35-year-old a $28 million bonus on March 8, which would activate the final four years of his contract.

It's likely that the Colts will draft Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, providing an impetus for Manning to look elsewhere for employment.

Here are five teams that need the help of No. 18.

New York Jets

The guys who play day in and day out with Mark Sanchez question his work ethic and leadership.

You don't think the officials in the front office do, too?

Sanchez may have quarterbacked the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship games in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but did he win either of them?

He's never posted better than a 56.7 completion percentage or thrown for more than 3,500 yards in a season. His crosstown rival, Eli Manning, completed both of those tasks within his first three NFL seasons.

In 2011—his best statistical season—Sanchez ranked near the bottom in the NFL in completion percentage, passer rating and passing yards per game.

The Jets had no problem bringing in a veteran in 2008 with Brett Favre.

Who's to say they won't do it again?

Arizona Cardinals

It's no secret that the Kevin Kolb deal isn't working out in Arizona.

He played in just nine games for the Cardinals in 2011. He threw just one more touchdown (nine) than he did interceptions (eight), and he completed only 57.7 percent of his passes.

It's no surprise that Kolb put up subpar numbers, as he was never a true NFL starter to begin with.

Besides the fact that Manning would be an upgrade over Kolb, the Cardinals have a few other things going for them as well.

Larry Fitzgerald had great chemistry with veteran Kurt Warner, and I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem playing with a future Hall of Famer.

And the Cardinals added Frank Reich to their staff as wide receivers coach, and he happens to be Manning's old position coach in Indianapolis. 

With all of that, it appears Manning would be a good fit in the desert.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins haven't had a legitimate quarterback since Dan Marino.

Matt Moore filled in nicely for the injured Chad Henne—throwing for 2,497 yards, 16 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in only 13 games—but if the Dolphins have a chance to snag Peyton Manning, it's a no-brainer.

Miami ranked No. 23 in the NFL in passing offense last season, failing to average at least 200 yards per game.

The Dolphins have finished third in the AFC East the past three seasons, also failing to reach a record above .500.

ESPN's Adam Schefter feels that Miami is the front-runner to land the big fish:

"

The team that is the favorite in my mind to land Manning is Miami. The Dolphins can offer warm weather and a favorable contract, and the team has been screaming for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino left. Make Miami the favorite for now.

"

With weapons like Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush, Manning would enjoy soaking up the sun in Miami.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan needs a quarterback to save his job in Washington, and Rex Grossman isn't the answer.

Grossman's 2011 campaign saw him throw four more interceptions than touchdowns, leaving Washington to finish dead last in the NFC East at 5-11.

Backup John Beck wasn't much better, as he threw for two touchdowns and four interceptions in just four games under center.

Although Shanahan's my-way-or-the-highway coaching style wouldn't allow for Manning to run his own offense, he could use No. 18 to save both his job and reputation. 

The Redskins have a history of going after big-name players, as evidenced by the Donovan McNabb experiment.

As a New York Giants fan, I know I wouldn't want to see Peyton Manning twice a year.

Cleveland Browns

A dismal 4-12 record is what Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace delivered to the Cleveland Browns last season.

McCoy threw 11 interceptions in 13 games and was sacked 32 times, and Wallace completed just 51 percent of his passes in six games.

As we saw in 2011, the Browns have a good defense, but are lacking at the quarterback position.

Enter Peyton Manning.

If No. 18 has any life left in his arm, he will inject it into a blue-collar city that hasn't seen a Super Bowl championship. 

Manning has an opportunity to become the next LeBron James of Cleveland (before "The Decision"), which—besides his obvious football talent—makes for a great story.

Only time will tell where Manning ends up, but seeing the four-time MVP in Cleveland would excite the entire NFL.