2012 NFL Free Agency: Top Destinations for Matt Flynn

Once Peyton Manning chooses a team, Matt Flynn's cell phone will be ringing off the hook. Aaron Rodgers' understudy is the most intriguing back-up quarterback prospect since Matt Cassel. 

Flynn will likely segue his two impressive starts into a multi-million dollar contract. It has worked with varying levels of success for back-ups Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Schaub and Matt Cassel, as they transitioned from holding clipboards for superstar quarterbacks into leading teams of their own to the playoffs. 

It is believed that it will work with Flynn, but the question is where? Here is a list of the top five suitors, complete with the chance he signs with each team. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Any chance the Jacksonville Jaguars have given up on Blaine Gabbert yet? Anyone else think they should? 

In 99 percent of cases, I stress patience with young players. Gabbert is the exception, and if the Jaguars make a run at Flynn, I could not blame them.

Gabbert is one of those players who was not even that good in college (not by first-round standards) and played his way into the position with an impressive combine workout. You would think the Jags had learned their mistake with first-round bust Matt Jones a few years back. 

Gabbert has horrid presence in the pocket, a trait I do not think can be coached out of him. With a new regime that did not draft Gabbert, there is a small chance they quickly give up on the first-round pick. There is an even smaller chance that Flynn will choose Jacksonville and their lack of offensive weapons over some more attractive suitors. 

Chance he signs: one percent

4. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are in a difficult position. Colt McCoy has not played his way out of the starter's position, but he has not played well enough to warrant complete trust with management. 

McCoy's contract is modest enough (he is still on a third-round rookie's deal) that signing Flynn would not be out of the question. Flynn is still not a guarantee himself, meaning the Browns could have both duking it out in an even quarterback competition in the preseason and pick the winner.

However, Flynn will likely have better options on the table. Playing the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens two times a season each is not an attractive situation for any quarterback. Besides, the Browns are not exactly working with an arsenal of offensive weapons.   

Chance he signs: five percent

3. Seattle Seahawks

Flat out, Matt Flynn has done more to inspire confidence in two games than Tarvaris Jackson has done in six years. Jackson's first season with the Seattle Seahawks was a career year and he still had a subpar 79.2 quarterback rating, including just one more touchdown than interception.

If you want to contend, that will not get it done. Seattle has a solid offensive line and the type of workhorse back in Marshawn Lynch, so the success of the offense will not all be on their new quarterback. 

The Seahawks could make a strong push, but like Peyton Manning, Flynn will likely choose to go elsewhere.   

Chance he signs: 10 percent

2. Denver Broncos

John Elway and John Fox have made no secret about their preference for a classic pocket quarterback over the media savior that is Tim Tebow. If the Denver Broncos miss out on Peyton Manning, could they settle for the next most attractive target on the market? 

While Peyton Manning offers the, "He's arguably the greatest quarterback of all time and is an upgrade over anybody, even the lefty disciple" angle, Flynn offers the, "We brought in a veteran and he beat him out fair and square," excuse to fans.

Flynn is at that perfect level of enticing, but not quite proven, where they could start the season with him as Tebow's backup. If Tebow shows no progress and Denver drops their first two or three games, they bring Flynn off the bench, hiding behind the, "We gave Tebow a shot, he dropped the ball," excuse, while knowing full well they brought Flynn in to be the franchise quarterback. 

If they pull it off, all I have to say is sneaky, Johns. Very sneaky. 

Chance he signs: 24 percent, assuming they miss out on Manning. 

1. Miami Dolphins

Sure the Miami Dolphins are trying to bring in Peyton Manning. If you're a team without a franchise quarterback, why wouldn't you? 

However, I fully expect Manning to sign elsewhere (the Arizona Cardinals) and the Dolphins to bring in Matt Flynn. New coach and former Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin knows Flynn's capabilities better than anyone. Nine touchdowns and two interceptions in two career starts is a great place to begin for Flynn and Philbin.

In Miami, Flynn would be throwing to Brandon Marshall, a better pure athlete than anyone he was throwing to in Green Bay. He has great check-down options in Reggie Bush and Anthony Fasono and a franchise left tackle to protect his blind side.

All in all, it only seems like a matter of time until Flynn and Philbin's respective futures are attached at the hip.  

Chance he signs: 65 percent, assuming they miss out on Manning.

Alexander is a featured columnist for bleacherreport.com You can follow Alexander on twitter @thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his bleacher report profile.