Peyton Manning: The San Francisco 49ers Should Grab the Colts QB for 2012

The Indianapolis Colts look like clear cut winners for this year's "Andrew Luck sweepstakes," and it isn't for sure what that can mean for quarterback Peyton Manning. The Colts will owe Manning $28 million if he hits the field in 2012, so they may have to move the great passer on.

A team that should be interested is the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers are having a phenomenal year under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Since taking the reins, the 49ers have gone from a 6-10 team in 2010 to a 10-2 team this year. This has been pretty much done with the exact same roster, with both seasons involving injuries to running back Frank Gore.

However, there is still one need for change to get to the next level.

That is, quarterback Alex Smith.

While Smith has been great this season, in no way is he going to be the quarterback to keep this team going for years to come. Considering the 49ers' record, they have put themselves out of reach of possibly nabbing a quarterback in the draft like Matt Barkley or Robert Griffin III.

What this team needs is a veteran like Manning—as long as he is healthy, of course.

The 49ers would have to part with their first-round draft pick and other pieces, but there is no doubt that the addition of Manning to this squad would put them over the top. 

Manning is hands down one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and he would work wonders under Harbaugh in San Francisco. There isn't even a comparison between Smith and Manning (they shouldn't even be in this sentence together, that is how insulting it is).

Smith has helped lead this 49ers team in a new direction, but even he should know his time has run its course. He has been throwing the ball less this season than ever before, and the 49ers can't continue to cripple themselves in the passing game.

If Manning becomes available, the 49ers need to jump on that opportunity right away. It will cost them, but that cost will pay off. Even if the 49ers win the Super Bowl this year, they should make the move if he becomes available.

Franchise quarterbacks rarely become available. If Manning does, it is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked.