Peyton Manning to Washington Redskins Less Likely in Wake of Latest Rumors

The list of teams interested in Peyton Manning is quite large. The list of teams that Peyton Manning is interested in is likely pretty small.

One of the teams heavily interested in Peyton is the Washington Redskins. The Mike Shanahan-coached squad is in desperate need a signal-caller and owner Daniel Snyder has never been afraid to make a big move for a big name. 

Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports that the 'Skins are wasting no time in chasing down the most iconic free agent to ever hit the market:

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Several people familiar with the Redskins’ plans said the team is comfortable with the risks associated with signing Manning, who missed all of last season with the Colts after undergoing a series of neck surgeries. The team will pursue him intently, they said.

"

Marshall Faulk had told NFL Network that Peyton was not interested in joining an NFC team, but Adam Schefter cleared that up this morning:

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Peyton Manning prefers to stay in the AFC but is open to playing in the NFC.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2012"

Other teams in the NFC chasing down Peyton include the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. 

If Peyton is "open" to playing in the NFC, but leaning towards the AFC, wouldn't it make sense to believe that the one division he doesn't want to play in is the NFC East with brother Eli? That notion alone would be a selling point or a breaking point. 

UPDATE: Thursday, March 8 - 2:15 p.m. EST

And in no surprising fashion, there is word coming out of Washington that Peyton does not want to play for the Redskins. ESPN 980 Washington's Chris Russell talked with SportsCenter and said (via Rotoworld):

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A couple of different sources inside the organization have told me that Manning's camp made it pretty clear to Redskins officials he doesn't want to come here.

"

Not only does this make sense, but it even sounds like Peyton to tell the Redskins that he wants no part in hearing what they have to offer.

Joining the Redskins wouldn't be a simple, "okay, they sold me and made a solid offer" thing. No, going to the NFC East would be a monumental decision and he'd already be making progress on that move if he wanted to do it.

There has been plenty a talk around the Cardinals, and FOX's Adam Schein went as far as to cite sources saying that Peyton has put out "feelers" regarding a potential move to the desert.

Only the AFC West is more wide open than the NFC West next season if Peyton were to join one of the teams in those divisions. 

The Redskins, meanwhile, play in arguably the toughest division in all of football, with brother Eli on the schedule twice a season no less.

If Peyton wants to take his arm to the NFC he will, but it would be a complete surprise if he were to take it to Washington.

Throwing seven different kinds of smoke on Twitter too.