Peyton Manning Rumors: Why It Is Imperative Seattle Seahawks Go All-in on No. 18

Apparently, the Seattle Seahawks have eyes for Peyton Manning. They would be wise to turn their crush into a professional relationship.

We get the rumor from Dan Pompei of National Football Post:

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Based on the buzz around the league, the Seahawks could be the early frontrunner for Peyton Manning, assuming he is released. Pete Carroll needs a quarterback and is believed to have a strong interest in at least exploring Manning. The Seahawks could offer Manning an attractive scenario. They have a young team with some fine skill players to put around him. They play in one of the league’s loudest stadiums. Manning wouldn’t be subject to the same kind of scrutiny in Seattle that he would in a lot of other markets. The Seahawks also could have a better feel for Manning’s medical situation than some teams. One of their team physicians, Stan Herring, who also is one of the country’s preeminent specialists for spine injuries. Herring is a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

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Without question, Seattle should make a play for Manning, though some of what Pompei suggests the Seahawks can attractively offer is far-fetched.

Fine skill-position players?

If they bring back Marshawn Lynch, I guess so. Though I'm not sure how appealing a wide receiver corps made up of Sidney Rice, Ben Obamanu, Golden Tate, Mike Williams and Doug Baldwin really is.

I'm not saying it's a poor receiving group, but who amongst them really gets you excited? Rice maybe, but he can't seem to stay healthy.

And I'm not sure Manning is terribly concerned with scrutiny—he's a four-time MVP winner. I don't think external pressure bothers him.

But as Pompei later notes in that same article, Manning and Reggie Wayne may go to a team as a package deal. Adding both would be a coup for Seattle and would instantly make them a contender in the NFC West.

The Seahawks have a few key players that will likely try to bring back, including Lynch, defensive end Red Bryant and linebackers David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill.

I'm not sure the Seahawks can bring all four back and add Manning and Wayne. But if they can sign Manning and Wayne and still have the financial flexibility to keep a few of the above players, Seattle will be a team to be reckoned with.

Otherwise, it's back to Tarvaris Jackson. And who wants that?

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