Fathead Blog

With the Super Bowl taking place in Indianapolis, many people thought Peyton Manning would be being discussed at this time. However, no one thought it would be because we were trying to figure out which NFL team he would be on next year! Nonetheless, it appears more and more likely with each passing day that his time with the Colts is nearing an end.

 Who wouldn’t want Peyton Manning on their team? One of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, teams would gladly lineup to get whatever football Manning has left in the tank. Which teams make the most sense? We take a look at some of the teams who may be interested and may not fit.

Arizona Cardinals

A team that rose from the ashes when it signed Kurt Warner, the Cardinals might look to Manning to deliver a similar resurgence. The Cardinals haven’t had a winning season since Warner left the team, and they have had multiple quarterbacks in that time. While they have lost some talented receivers as well, (Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston) many feel that Manning and Larry Fitzgerald could lead this team back to the playoffs. This might be the best fit out there for Peyton Manning.

New York Jets

Rex Ryan’s first draft pick as head coach of the New York Jets was quarterback Mark Sanchez. After taking them to back to back AFC Championship games his first two years in the NFL, you wouldn’t think the Jets would be in the market for a new quarterback. After going 8-8 in a season where many were thinking Super Bowl, many want the Jets to find a more consistent quarterback to push Sanchez. I personally think the Jets need to grow with Sanchez, but the reports have gone as far as an “unnamed source from the Jets saying they would trade Sanchez to get Peyton Manning. While the move would certainly make the Jets a contender in the AFC, I think they are even without Manning. This would be the next best place for Manning, but it still isn’t as good as Arizona.

Miami Dolphins

A team that is in complete rebuilding mode, the Dolphins have had a lot of trouble trying to find a quarterback to make them competitive. Miami just hired a new head coach in Joe Philbin, who was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay last year. Philbin would love to get his hands on a quarterback as good as Aaron Rodgers was last year to help turn this team around, but I would look for Philbin to find  a young, 1^st round pick to grow with this inexperienced team. While Manning could help bridge the gap, I just don’t see the Dolphins offering wins that Manning could find in New York or Arizona.

Washington Redskins

Another team that is rebuilding and needs a quarterback, the Washington Redskins hold a lot of intriguing possibilities. First and foremost, how cool would it be for Peyton and Eli Manning to play in the same division? The NFC East is already stacked at quarterback with Tony Romo, Michael Vick and Eli, adding Peyton would make that a fun division to watch. Add to that head coach Mike Shanahan, who has a proven NFL track record, and the fact that Washington swept the New York Giants last year and only lost to New England by a touchdown, and there could be some major storylines if this move was made. However, just like Miami, I think Shanahan wants to get younger, but if I could pick a team for Peyton to go to for my own selfish reasons, it would be here.