Peyton Manning Rumors: Jets' Quest for Ex-Colts QB Makes Mark Sanchez Expendable

Peyton Manning's soon-to-be-newfound free agency (as reported by Chris Mortensen) may well prove to be the stone the New York Jets needed to knock out two pesky birds.

The first, their need for a top-tier quarterback to steer their offense and save Rex Ryan's job.

The second, their desire to dump the disappointing Mark Sanchez.

According to the New York Post, Gang Green will take a good, long look at Manning once he parts ways with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time the Jets attempted to acquire a future Hall of Famer who'd spent either all or the vast majority of his NFL career with one team. They picked up Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers in 2008 for a fourth-round pick and promptly went 9-7, missing playoffs and costing Eric Mangini his job.

The Jets released Favre in April of 2009, just days after selecting (you guessed it!) Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft. The move up cost New York a first-rounder and a second-rounder, along with three players from their roster.

Gang Green reached the AFC Championship Game in each of Sanchez's first two seasons, despite his unsteady play under center, and suffered this past season when Sanchez failed to take a significant step forward.

According to Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk, the Jets certainly wouldn't have the cap flexibility to keep Sanchez on board if they sign Manning:

"

Mark Sanchez is due $10.75 million in 2012 ($8.5M base + $2.75M roster bonus). Sanchez will have to be gone if #Jets acquire Manning.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 7, 2012"

Either way, it's do-or-die time for Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum. Jets owners Woody Johnson is none too happy with the turmoil that consumed the team during and after their disappointing season, and figures to make sweeping changes throughout the organization if the Jets miss the playoffs against in 2012.

Especially in light of the Giants' Super Bowl success.

Surely, new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano wouldn't mind having a quarterback of Manning's caliber with whom to work, nor would Santonio Holmes object to catching passes from arguably the most skilled signal caller in NFL history.

They won't likely be alone in that sentiment, nor in one that would have Sanchez kicked to the curb as a result.

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