Peyton Manning: Colts' Future Hall of Fame QB Better off Leaving Indianapolis

The 1-13 Indianapolis Colts are easily the NFL's worst team this season, and, in turn, will have the No. 1 draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is the projected No. 1 pick this year, while the Colts are a team with an aging, injured QB in Peyton Manning. Given the circumstances, it's safe to say the Colts will take Luck with the pick.

Keeping both Luck and Manning would not only be a mistake, but it would also hurt the careers of each QB if the Colts were to go through with the move.

Archie Manning was right on the money with this statement he made in an interview with Fox Sports Radio.

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"I don't think it'd necessarily be great for either one," Archie Manning said. "I think Andrew's the type of mature player...he can walk right in. I mean, these other three or four guys that are playing this year, [if] they can walk in and contribute, Andrew can, too."

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In years past, the NFL has had instances in which a veteran quarterback has helped mentor a young talent on his team and it has turned out to be a positive move.

Take Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, for example. The Packers' starting QB already has a Super Bowl ring to his name, and has had a plethora of success as the team's starter. For years, Rodgers was on the bench, taking notes from Brett Favre due to the lingering, over-extended tenure Favre had with the team.

Yet, the fact is that Brett Favre took seasons away from Rodgers—seasons in which the team could have had plenty more success and perhaps even won a Super Bowl title prior to the one won last season.

Andrew Luck is more than capable of being a starter in the league, as he has shown a level of maturity, perfection in his mechanics and an ability to win football games that is especially unique.

Over the last two seasons, Luck has thrown 67 touchdowns, just 17 interceptions and has completed an impressive 70 percent of his passes. Not to mention, Luck has recorded 960 yards rushing in three years with the Cardinal.

In his last two seasons, all Luck has done is win football games. He has gone 23-2 over the course of those seasons, with the team's only losses coming to the Oregon Ducks—a consistent Top 10 team in the nation.

The fact that Luck is such a proven winner and performer makes it all the more difficult for Manning to continue as a member of the Colts.

As for Peyton Manning, there will be instant pressure on him to win games for the Colts after arguably the worst season in franchise history.

There will also be an added pressure on Manning to perform, as behind him potentially stands a Pro Bowl QB ready for greatness in the league.

Would it be a mistake on the part of the Colts to let Manning go? No question about it.

Despite his 35 years of age, Manning has only improved as leader. Two seasons ago, Manning had career-high numbers in both passing yards and completions, as he had 450 completions and 4,700 yards in 2010-2011.

If Manning were to join a capable team that is simply struggling to find consistent quarterback play—the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins or Seattle Seahawks, for example—he would immediately make a team a playoff contender.

Given the team's 1-13 record this season, it is apparent that not only is Manning the NFL's true MVP, but he is also being asked to do too much for this team to win games. Heading into his final years in the league, Manning needs a somewhat talented, promising team to work with.

A team that goes 1-13 without Manning is simply not a good enough team for him to help lead.

For the sake of his career—and Andrew Luck's—Manning would make the right move by leaving the Colts, as the Colts seem ready to move on without him as well.