Peyton Manning Rumors: Do Arizona Cardinals and Manning Share Mutual Interest?

More than a third of the NFL—12 teams —have reportedly kicked the tires on acquiring free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning, who was released Wednesday after 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.  

According to Adam Schein of FOXSports.com, one of those teams is undoubtedly the Arizona Cardinals—and the fit between the two sides "just makes too much sense.":

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Sources tell us the Arizona Cardinals want to sign Manning. They would eradicate Kevin Kolb from the roster. John Skelton, a quarterback whom Ken Whisenhunt likes a lot and won with in the second half last year, would be the backup and insurance in case Manning got hurt. Manning, according to different sources, has put out feelers about the Cardinals. He is very intrigued by playing with Larry Fitzgerald and bringing Wayne along as his wingman.

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Schein then took the potential marriage proposal a couple steps further.

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Make no mistake; part of the Cardinals' plan would be to sign Wayne if they brought Manning on board. It has been discussed at length internally. Manning is said to respect and like Whisenhunt and has reached out via intermediaries to learn more about him. Sources say Manning also likes Arizona’s young, talented defense.

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Playing in Arizona also satisfies Manning's requirement of not playing in a cold-weather city, which was reported by the New York Post Thursday.

The Cardinals play their home games in toasty Glendale, AZ, under the comfortable dome of the University of Phoenix Stadium. Of the Cardinals' three NFC West division foes, only Seattle presents a scenario where Manning would play a road game in a potentially cold weather locale each season.

Given all the factors that favor Manning playing in Arizona, you'd have to consider the Cardinals the No. 2 (or even No. 1) team in early goings of the Manning Sweepstakes. The Miami Dolphins are also a team that appears to have all the pieces in place to sign the future Hall of Famer.

The one deal breaker for the Cardinals could be the fact that they play in the NFC, as it's starting to gain traction that Manning would prefer to stay in the AFC and avoid being the roadblock for brother Eli Manning to get to the Super Bowl. Marshall Faulk of NFL Network brought up that factor at length on air Wednesday, and ESPN's Adam Schefter (via Pro Football Talk) also reported that Manning likely prefers to play in the AFC.

Another thing Manning will have to consider regarding the Cardinals is their uncertainty at the offensive tackle position, which is something he'll likely consider as he comes back from a spinal fusion injury that caused him to miss the 2011 season.

However, the rest of the package the Cardinals could offer might be difficult to pass up.

Throwing to Fitzgerald and Wayne is a scary proposition.

Coach Whisenhunt has led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl once before with a veteran quarterback at the helm. 

A defense that began taking steps forward in 2011 would add pieces via the draft, and having Manning at quarterback only makes that unit better next season.

And the most important part? There's mutual interest, according to Schein, who said "There is legit mutual interest in a Manning-Cardinals marriage. Arizona will be in play."

Interest is important. The Cardinals could very well say they are satisfied with their duo of Kevin Kolb, who signed a six-year, $65 million deal last summer, and John Skelton, a six-game winner last season.

The fact that there's "mutual" interest only makes this more appealing. I think the consensus still says the Miami Dolphins are the front-runners for Manning right now, but don't sleep on these Cardinals. They are flying up the backstretch and look more than ready to give Manning everything he wants to make him becoming the Cardinals' next quarterback a reality.