NFL Free Agency: What Will Happen to Who Peyton Manning Replaces?

Three teams remain in the running for former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, one of the most coveted free agents to ever hit the market.

But there's another side to the Manning NFL free-agency frenzy, and that is the situation of what would happen to the quarterback Manning replaces.

This part of the story has been deeply overshadowed, and with reason.

Clearly, none of these individuals are at Manning's level, and after all, that's why these teams (Denver, San Francisco and Tennessee) are pursuing him in the first place.

But what about those quarterbacks that suddenly find themselves in extreme uncertainty?

The San Francisco 49ers are fresh off a trip to the NFC Championship with Alex Smith as their quarterback. Now it looks as if he may never play another down for the only team he has ever taken one for.

This is after San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed his commitment in Smith as his starter at the NFL combine. But with Manning in the picture, the chance of winning a Super Bowl far outweighs a simple pledge of trust.

Same goes for the Denver Broncos, where it seemed John Elway, the VP of operations and the man calling all of the shots, was constantly giving Tim Tebow his vote of confidence last season.

Despite his attempt to show the public he was backing Tebow, everyone and their sister knew he was trying to convince us of something that was far from the truth.

One thing that did seem authentic was the situation that was progressing for the Tennessee Titans at the quarterback position. 

The team used its eighth overall pick on Jake Locker, who was thought to be their quarterback of the future.

Matt Hasselbeck was brought in before last year, primarily to tutor Locker until the latter of the two is  fully prepared to take the offensive reigns. The relationship between the two quarterbacks has allowed the Titans strategy to work perfectly.

But that could all change if Manning decides to sign with Tennessee. But can you really fault the Titans, or any of these teams, for wanting the best quarterback of his generation?

Although the Titans have not made many big signings so far this offseason, the acquisition of Manning would make them a playoff contender.

Denver would be the clear AFC West front-runner with Manning in the driver's seat, even with their lack of premium wide receivers.

And above all, if San Francisco were to sign Manning, they would be the favorite to win it all next February.

Whichever option the All-Pro decides upon, someone else will be left to find a home elsewhere.

Smith, being a free agent himself, is already beginning his search for a new team. Miami (he visited the team already) seems to be the leader to sign the QB, now that Matt Flynn has signed with Seattle.

While Smith will have the luxury to sign with another franchise, Tim Tebow will not have the same gratification.

Tebow's whirlwind season of 2011, which led to a win in the AFC playoffs, would all be thrown aside with the signing of Manning. With Elway finally having his "real" quarterback, Denver may decide to trade Tebow.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will continue to be a team in any conversations that involve Tebow being traded, and it very well could be Tebow's landing spot if the Broncos decide to move the league's most talked about player.

Meanwhile, Hasselbeck, who has done an excellent job in helping Locker improve, could be out of options if dropped by the Titans.

Manning's signing would also spell a longer wait for Locker to become the starter in Tennessee, possibly as long (three years) as Aaron Rodgers endured in Green Bay under Brett Favre.

So for all of these quarterbacks, change could be right around the corner.

No matter who is affected by Manning's signing, that quarterback will find themselves in an inferior situation.

So is the life in the NFL, where all must realize that, it is indeed a business.

And after all, who wouldn't want Peyton Manning.