2012 NFL Free Agents: Power Ranking Matt Flynn's Best Potential Destinations

Matt Flynn is like the rest of us, he's waiting to see what happens with Peyton Manning. For him, its a professional interest, as many teams that would be interested in him are, of course, pursuing Manning.

With Manning's decision expected soon, and with favorites beginning to take shape, we have a better idea of where that may land Flynn.

Whoever inks the former Packers' backup QB will pay a hefty price. Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports quoted an unnamed NFL GM about Flynn's potential deal: 

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Unless I’m way off, Flynn is going to get a contract that looks a lot like [Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin] Kolb’s,” the exec said, referring to the five-year, $63 million deal that included $22 million guaranteed. “That’s the price of doing business in this league.

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In his four year career, Flynn has thrown only 132 passes, so teams don't really know what they will be getting from him as a full-time starter.

Has he shown enough to invest that type of money?

I don't know, but it just goes to show how coveted a potential franchise QB is for teams.

Here are the three teams that are the best bets for landing Flynn.

1. Miami Dolphins

Chris Mortenson and Adam Schefter of ESPN are reporting this about the Manning Sweepstakes:

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The Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals, the first two teams Manning visited, are considered his two likeliest landing spots, according to sources familiar with the situation.

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With that said, it opens the door wide for Flynn to rejoin his last offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, who is now the Dolphins' head coach. Philbin was the Packers' offensive coordinator in 2011, and Flynn is obviously familiar with him.

The Dolphins would no doubt come at Manning hard, but if they are unsuccessful, as it appears they will be, Flynn should be the guy.

His familiarity with the offense, and the coach, will make for a much easier transition period for Flynn and Philbin.

2. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are in a similar boat as the Dolphins. They missed out on a bid to obtain the rights to draft Robert Griffin III; now they must pursue Mr. Plan B, AKA Matt Flynn.

Scott Petrak of The Chronicle Telegram said this, after speaking with Browns' GM Tom Heckert on the team's QB plans:

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General manager Tom Heckert said Thursday the Browns won’t enter the manic Manning sweepstakes and it’s doubtful they’ll sign any big-name quarterback in free agency. That includes Green Bay’s Flynn, who’s been linked to Cleveland for months.

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Mind you, this was before the Browns lost out on their bid to deal for the St. Louis Rams' second pick in the draft.

It will be interesting to see if that changes the team's philosophy.

It could be that he just isn't impressed with Flynn, or he's really trying hard not to show his Plan B hand. We will know for sure soon enough.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Rep said this after speaking with former NFL QB, and Flynn insider, Rich Gannon:

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He sees Seattle, Miami and Cleveland as the likeliest destinations for Flynn, who can be signed as early as March 13. 

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Maybe Gannon was a bit too quick on the gun with Seattle. Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe tweeted this on the situation:

Who's right?

We don't know, but we do know that the Seahawks seemed to have interest in Peyton Manning. Mortenson and Schefter of ESPN, also stated in the aforementioned piece:

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The Seattle Seahawks continue to try to arrange a meeting with Manning, according to sources, but so far they have been unable to do so.

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With the prospects of Manning going to Seattle seeming remote at best, they still need to fill their need under center.

Flynn would be a solid bet here.

Seattle's GM John Schneider is familiar with Flynn from his days with the Packers.

Right now they are a bit on the outside looking in, but they are definitely still in the conversation.

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