Peyton Manning Rumors: Experts Weigh in on Dolphins, Cowboys and Jets

When the Indianapolis Colts released Peyton Manning, the floodgates opened with speculation about where he might go, who might have interest in him and what it would take to sign him. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that at least 12 teams have been in contact with Manning's representatives. 

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Choices, choices: Sources say 12 teams reached out to Peyton Manning's reps on the day he was released from the Colts.

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

We want to focus on three teams that could be in that mix: the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. 

The Jets would be the most interesting destination for Manning, just because of the circus that would create and the dynamic with Rex Ryan. 

Jets legend Joe Namath told the Bloomberg News that he doesn't think that Manning will have much interest in the team because of all the locker room turmoil. 

“The Jets have to get things together on their own turf before someone with his background would be interested in coming,” Namath said. 

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News spoke to a former general manager about whether the Jets should be in on Manning, and how they go about luring him to town. 

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“The No. 1 thing is that we’re the best team of all those who are interested. We have the best chance to win a world championship if you sign with us,” he said. “The other thing is the marketplace. This guy has got a huge ego. He’s been in a small market. New York would be the tie-breaker if it were close. Then there’s the brother-brother thing. There’s a lot of things that will be very enticing to him.”

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To me, the brother vs. brother dynamic might actually deter Manning from going to New York. Peyton doesn't want to step into Eli's spotlight in New York, nor does he want to hear more about how his little brother has one more Super Bowl than he does. 

Former Dolphins and Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson was asked on Twitter whether Jerry Jones should go after Manning. 

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“@PhenomenalP3: Coach if u were Jerry Jones and had chance to acquire Manning, would you do so or stay with Romo? ”stay with Romo

— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) March 8, 2012"

It's hard to disagree with that. Romo is hardly the biggest problem that the Cowboys have. He is one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league, and is five years younger than Manning. 

Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk cites Adam Schefter as saying that the Miami Dolphins' chances of signing Manning appear to be decreasing as the process moves on. 

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Schefter on #Dolphins & Manning: "I think their chances are dwindling some." Cites same "circumstances" that drove away Harbaugh, Fisher.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 9, 2012"

According to Omar Kelly of the Orlando Sentinel, the team is still hoping to meet with Manning before he makes any final decisions. 

While the Dolphins are desperate for a quarterback, you have to wonder how much interest he would have in playing in the same division as Tom Brady, and knowing that the team could win 10 games and still be the third best in the AFC East. 

They will have their chance to woo him. According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Manning is going to meet with Dolphins officials before making any final decision about where to play next week.

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