Peyton Manning Rumors: Seattle Seahawks in Pursuit of Coveted QB

Let the speculation begin.

The breakup of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts has officially occurred, and now the rumor mill is spinning faster than the wheel on The Price is Right.

The Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals are considered the favorites, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of other QB-needy teams trying to make a splash.

NFL Network’s Albert Breer is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks plan on throwing their hat into the ring for the four-time NFL MVP:

"

Let the games begin -- The Seahawks are already in the process of reaching out to ex-Colts QB Peyton Manning.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2012"

But wait a minute; wouldn’t that be considered tampering since free agency doesn’t begin until March 13?

Not quite.

Since Manning was cut, he doesn’t have to wait as long. But teams can’t talk to him just yet, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

"

Still no NFL waiver wire, so any team reaching out to Peyton Manning now would be violating the rules.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2012"

Breer quickly clarified his remarks to make sure he didn’t just throw the Seahawks under the bus:

"

I should clarify -- Seahawks plan to reach out to Manning as soon as he hits the waiver wire. Once he appears in the wire, they'll call.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2012"

Well, don’t worry about that, Mr. Breer; because only minutes later, Schefter sent out this tweet to officially kick off the Manning sweepstakes:

"

Gentlemen, start your checkbooks. NFL teams now have waiver wire.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2012"

So now the Seahawks are able to speak with him.

When thinking about why Manning would pick Seattle, you look at the strong 5-3 finish to the season, a terrific running back in Marshawn Lynch, a stud receiver in Sidney Rice and a sturdy O-Line. The NFC West isn’t the strongest division, and he would only have to play the Colts once every four years.

The downsides include a coach in Pete Carroll that may be too big of a personality for Manning, a cold-weather outdoor stadium and the lack of depth at receiver.

Manning has earned the opportunity to be picky, and it remains to be seen if he is willing to play outdoors in a cold-weather city with his neck condition.

If so, Seattle has more than just a puncher’s chance of landing one of the greatest QBs ever to pick up a pigskin.

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