Peyton Manning Rejects Washington Redskins: Where Do They Go from Here?

Peyton Manning is at the top of everyone's free-agent quarterback wish list, but if recent reports are any indication, the Washington Redskins will have to settle for No. 2 or worse.

Rotoworld has the scoop:

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Appearing on SportsCenter Thursday, ESPN 980 Washington's Chris Russell said he's "hearing" free agent Peyton Manning does not want to play for the Redskins and has already informed people in the building.

"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," said Russell. "... Unless that changes—and I'm taking my sources at their word—I don't think Manning's coming to D.C."

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We don't have a "why" to discuss here, so all we have left to talk about is what's next.

It would appear the answer is quite obvious. Either the team targets free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn, targets a QB in the draft or sticks it out with John Beck and Rex Grossman on the depth chart.

The latter of the three is clearly the last resort for the Redskins, so what's left is a free agent or a draftee.

In Like Flynn?

Matt Flynn looks like the only quarterback in free agency that could offer the Redskins an upgrade at the position, and even that is in question as we wonder how much of his success with the Packers was residual from Green Bay's bevy of playmakers at receiver and tight end. 

While Flynn was able to carve the Detroit Lions into a feast fit for a king, can he do that on a week-in, week-out basis, and without the weaponry he had in Green Bay?

What's more, the Redskins may not have a very good offense, but their defense isn't much better. It's a lot to ask of a quarterback to come in and start putting up 30-plus points on a weekly basis.

Manning may have been able to make up for what the Redskins lack in talent, but that lack of talent might expose Flynn.

Back to the Drawing Board

According to Zac Boyer of The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., Mel Kiper, Jr. suggested on a conference call that the Redskins should target a quarterback in the draft. His argument is hard to debate.

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"When you’re in a division with Eli [Manning] and [Michael] Vick and [Tony] Romo, I don’t care what else you have—you’re going to be in the cellar unless you have that quarterback," Kiper said.

Kiper believes the Redskins, given their past inclinations to give up a plethora of draft picks to obtain the players they want, could afford to give up quite a bit for Griffin."

Robert Griffin III is the prospect that has everyone salivating, and it's hard not to see why. Between his Heisman Trophy-winning 2011 season, his incredible athleticism, his lovable persona and his background and upbringing, we might be talking about him as the can't-miss prospect of the year were it not for Andrew Luck.

But believe it or not, there are other options. Among them, and within the Redskins' range, is Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

There's also Brandon Weeden, a second-round prospect out of Oklahoma State who played baseball for the Yankees before picking up football. His age is a concern, but Kiper suggests that Weeden would be a lock as a top-10 or -15 pick were it not for his age (hat tip to Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft).

Whatever the Redskins do, Mike Shanahan can't afford to miss.

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"Shanahan can’t miss now," Kiper said, per The Free Lance-Star. "He missed three times on quarterbacks [Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck] and he can’t miss four times. RG3 is the option."

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The Redskins may be able to get a better quarterback in the draft, but Shanahan may not have the luxury of time to watch that player develop.

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