Peyton Manning Rumors: Hesitant Free Agent QB Destined To Sign with the 49ers

Coveted free agent quarterback Peyton Manning has not yet made up his mind as to which NFL franchise he will sign with this offseason, and still has not informed the three teams left in the race for his veteran arm when he expects to make a decision, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter:

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ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Manning still has not informed any of the three teams when to expect a decision, according to sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2012"

However, as team after team falls out of the Manning sweepstakes, it seems the San Francisco 49ers are picking up more steam and look to be the ideal match for the future Hall of Famer.

San Francisco is the closest team remaining on Manning's list to winning a Super Bowl and could easily take the NFC West division with him under center. Manning is not only looking for the best fit, but a team with an open championship window capable of leading him to another ring before he retires.

At age 35, Manning's window is no more than three to five years and that means he doesn't have time to wait around for a team to rebuild and struggle to make the postseason.

The Denver Broncos have reportedly "diminished expectations" as far as landing Manning goes, as reported on Saturday by ESPN's Paul Kuharsky. 

If that report is true, that leaves the Tennessee Titans and the Niners left to duke it out for Manning. The AFC South's Titans would give Manning two shots at the Indianapolis Colts each season, but would make earning a playoff berth that much tougher for No. 18, as the AFC features perennial playoff teams in New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers as well as the emerging Houston Texans, who won the South in 2011.

The Niners make more sense if reaching the Super Bowl and playing in a decent-sized market are Manning's wishes. The pieces are already in place to win immediately in San Francisco, and Manning is no dummy. 

The former No. 1 overall pick in 1998 has just one Super Bowl title under his belt and if he's playing for a second one, signing with the San Francisco 49ers is a no-brainer.