Projecting Records for Every Peyton Manning Signing Scenario

Let the hunt begin.

With the official release of Peyton Manning, ESPN reported:

"

On the same day Peyton Manning officially left the only professional home he's ever had, his representatives were contacted by 12 of the NFL's 32 clubs, multiple sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

"

While the uncertainty of Manning's health may prevent him from being the greatest free agent ever, he is undoubtedly the most famous and ballyhooed.

If he returns healthy, he could change almost any team in the NFL into a playoff contender, and any playoff team into a Super Bowl favorite. Because of that possibility, teams are being extremely aggressive in their pursuit.

We should know something soon, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports: 

"

Peyton Manning's camp is aiming to make a decision on where he will play next season within the next week, according to sources, who add that while Manning prefers to stay in the AFC, he is open to playing in the NFC.

"

Taking a look at all realistic scenarios, here is a projection of the effect Manning could have on the teams interested in signing him.

Kansas City Chiefs 2011 Record: 7-9

Chiefs' head coach Romeo Crennel was quoted by Greg Rosenthal of NBC Sports speaking about Manning's potential availability:

"

With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he’s available. I’ll leave it at that,” Crennel said.

"

The Chiefs were 7-9 last season with a terrible QB situation, and a star RB out for the season. Imagine QB Matt Cassel backing up Manning with a healthy Jamaal Charles in the backfield.

The Chiefs have a solid, up and coming defense that ranked sixth against the pass, but only 26th against the run.

Nothing helps a defense out like an offense that can sustain a drive and score points. A Manning-led Chiefs' attack could do just that.

The Chiefs run away with the AFC West with Manning and are Super Bowl contenders.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 12-4

Minnesota Vikings 2011 Record 3-13

Jeff Howe of NESN.com wrote this of the Vikings' shot at luring Manning:

"

The Vikings probably like what they've got with Christian Ponder, but this could be like a second version of that whole Brett Favre experiment. Granted, Favre went to a much more complete Vikings team that was ready to win, and this roster needs more work. Manning could be enticed by keeping his home games in a dome.

"

If you love Manning, you'll be praying he doesn't sign in Minny. The Vikings do have a great running back in Adrian Peterson, but the team surrendered 49 sacks in 2011.

Drafting Matt Kalil won't fix this, and this is the quickest way to have Manning's surgically repaired neck tested week in and week out.

Stay away.

With that said, he would obviously make them better from an improvement standpoint. But even Manning can't mask the gaping holes in the secondary and the lack of weapons in the receiving corp.

The Vikings still miss the playoffs, or sneak in as final wild card.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 8-8

Jacksonville Jaguars 2011 Record: 5-11

Gener Frenette of the Florida Times-Union wonders if the Jags can dream about adding Manning:

"

The Jaguars are likely not on Peyton’s radar, especially since Jacksonville has a mediocre-at-best receiving corps. And super-agent Tom Condon has both Manning and Jaguars’ quarterback Blaine Gabbert as clients.

But for the sake of argument, it’d also be an egregious shirking of duty for owner Shahid Khan and general manager Gene Smith to not look into being a Manning suitor. It costs the Jaguars nothing to window-shop.

"

He also mentions conceptually, the effect Manning could have on the entire franchise. The Jags currently suffer from the 21st lowest attendance in the NFL, and a general lack of interest locally.

Manning would boost all of those things significantly.

That said, the poor receiving corp makes them a bad fit, and not even the most attractive in Florida.

The team would still likely finish second in the division to the Houston Texans.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 10-6

Denver Broncos 2011 Record: 8-8

How long would it take Manning to win over Tebow Maniacs?

Probably two weeks and a 2-0 start.

As much as I love Tebow, imagine the Denver running game and defense augmented by Manning under center.

That would be pretty amazing.

Denver Sportscaster and insider from vicandgary.com, Vic Lombardi, tweeted this:

"

The Broncos will sell Manning on their top-ranked run game and stable O-line. Trust me, Broncos are SERIOUS players in this.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 8, 2012"

John Elway has never appeared completely committed to Tebow, so it is possible. If Manning joined the Broncos, they become favorites to win the Super Bowl.

Denver has solid receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, a running back in Willis McGahee and a decent offensive line.

Manning takes them near the top of the NFL food chain.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 13-3

Seattle Seahawks 2011 Record: 7-9

This is an interesting scenario. Seattle had a solid defense last season, only six teams surrendered fewer points. The Seahawks need offensive punch, and that is where Manning obviously comes in.

(From Rich Cimini of ESPN.com)

"

Hearing from a league source the Seahawks will come out, checkbook blazing, for Manning. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 7, 2012

 

"

With a decent crop of young receivers, led by what Seattle hopes to be a healthy Sidney Rice, the O could be impressive.

Marshawn Lynch just re-upped for more beast mode, so this scenario may have some substance.

The Seahawks could challenge the Niners for the division crown, and obviously be top contenders in the NFC.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 12-4

Washington Redskins 2011 Record: 5-11

ESPN's John Clayton reports:

"

After going back and forth on trade talks with the St. Louis Rams to move up to the No. 2 pick in order to draft Robert Griffin III, the Redskins will switch their attention to Manning.

"

That is fine and dandy, but I can't see a Mike Shanahan and Manning marriage being attractive to Peyton. These are two completely different philosophies and egos.

Along with that, the Redskins don't have a ton of offensive weapons in comparison to their competition for Manning.

The money may be there, but the situation isn't ideal.

On the field, Manning makes the Skins better, but they still struggle to make the playoffs in the knockdown, drag-out NFC East.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 10-6

Arizona Cardinals 2011 Record: 8-8

Daria Del Colliano of ArizonaSports.com quoted former NFL QB Rich Gannon speaking about the prospects of Manning joining the Cardinals:

"

He wants to go somewhere where he can be successful and in a system that's quarterback friendly," Gannon said. "I think you look at Arizona and they tweaked that offense when Kurt Warner arrived and I think they could do the same thing with Peyton Manning.

"

The Cardinals came on strong at the end of last season with John Skelton at QB, what could they have done with Manning? 

Tons more in my opinion.

All due respect to Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison, but if you think they looked good catching passes from Manning, its nothing compared to what Larry Fitzgerald would accomplish in that situation.

Manning in Arizona would be exciting, and again, they become NFC West title favorites and NFC championship contenders.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 12-4

Tennessee Titans 2011 Record: 9-7

A fan recently created a website to help woo Manning back to where he played college football. According to Teresa Walker of the AP (via mysanantonio.com):

"

Todd Mayo — who helped start the www.comehomepeyton.com website that put billboards up in Indianapolis during Super Bowl week — said the site had more than 10,000 unique visitors as of Wednesday afternoon after the Colts announced they were releasing Manning.

"

Who can blame them? It would seem to be a perfect homecoming, and it would also seem to reason that because of the ties, Manning would listen.

That said, John Glennon of The Tennessean quoted Titans GM Ruston Webster this way:

"

"Obviously (Manning) is a great player in the league," Webster said. "But on the flip side of that, we're excited about our quarterback situation."

"

It doesn't remove wiggle room, especially since that was a month ago, and we know how quickly things can change.

Imagine Chris Johnson being used as a true all-purpose back, a la Edgerrin James. He doesn't have the bulk to block as often as Edge used to, but as a receiver, he could be deadly.

Titans have a strong defense, and a healthy Kenny Britt is a nice weapon. The Titans would challenge the Texans in a major way for the AFC South title.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 12-4

New York Jets 2011 Record: 8-8

Gary Myers of New York Daily News reports:

"

According to a source, the Jets have inquired about Manning’s interest in playing for them. Good for them. They would be negligent if they didn’t call for the all out blitz.

"

The Jets can't babysit Mark Sanchez any longer, and in my opinion, they were close to pulling the plug on him anyway.

New York is a right now town, and adding Manning to the mix is a right now move. This team needs leadership and offensive direction.

There isn't a player in the NFL that offers more of those two things than Manning. He helps the Jets' defense play more aggressively, and rest assured, their offense can and will score points.

The Jets already averaged close to 24 points per game in 2011. Bet on that increasing, as well as their efficiency in the fourth quarter if Manning signs.

Still, all of the glam and glitz may be a turnoff for Peyton, as well as sharing the city with his brother. The "whose city is this" stuff seems like it would wear on him. 

If he can hack it, and signs with the Jets, he'll play Tom Brady twice a year. This further intensifies one of the NFL's best rivalries. That said, the Jets would be my picks as the AFC East champions and contenders to win it all.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 13-3

Miami Dolphins 2011 Record: 6-10

Armando Selguero of the Miami Herald reports: 

"

I've also been told that while it is not a prerequisite of his signing, Manning would probably like adding players that he's comfortable with. The most obvious of these is his go-to receiver Reggie Wayne, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Wayne, who played for the University of Miami, would seem like a natural addition with the Dolphins if Manning really, truly wants the security of having a familiar receiver.

"

The Dolphins finished the season decently considering the turmoil of lame duck coach Tony Sporano and a revolving door at quarterback (Matt Moore became a serviceable option midseason).

If Manning signs with the Dolphins, he could apparently bring Reggie Wayne with him, plus super receiver Brandon Marshall is already there. He will already have a top notch left tackle in Jake Long, with diverse running backs in Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas.

The Dolphins' defense kept them in games all season long. They were third against the run, but 25th against the pass.

That said, this will be a new era, even without Manning. There is a new coach in Joe Philbin, and ownership must get him on the same page as Manning.

All things considered, this is the most logical place for Manning to land.  

The weather is beautiful, the team has offensive weapons, there is no established coach to haggle with over philosophies, etc.

Plus, he went to Florida first. It is no guarantee that he was there to visit with Dolphins' management, but Manning doesn't seem like he wants to waste a lot of time.

The Dolphins are my pick to land him.

When they do, they will become the Patriots' No. 1challenger in the AFC East, and Super Bowl contenders.

Projected record with Manning in 2012: 12-4