Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
During an emotional press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Manning said: "I'll always be a Colt. That'll never change." While the sentiment is undoubtedly true, the business reality is not. The four-time league MVP, who turns 36 later this month, said that he wants to keep playing despite coming off a series of neck operations and missing all of last season.
Peyton Manning says emotional goodbye to Colts
So which uniform will Peyton Manning be wearing next season? There are certainly many potential suitors. Click on the scroll bar above to see a few possible destinations.
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins boast three undeniable enticements: South Beach, Brandon Marshall and Jake Long (i.e. great weather, great receiver, great left tackle). While the team has struggled to score points, new coach Joe Philbin figures to upgrade the offensive attack - and the Miami defense is stingy. If Manning decides to take his talents to South Beach, a guy named LeBron would suddenly be on the backburner.
How much does the city covet the star free agent quarterback? Well, there's a "Manning to Miami" website and a complementary billboard was erected near I-95 last month.
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have one major incentive: Larry Fitzgerald. The star wide receiver has been dominant with lesser quarterbacks so you have to think Manning would make him even more dangerous. Also as CBSSports.com's Ryan Wilson notes: "Arizona's always been my personal favorite landing spot for Manning, mainly because they did this same thing with Kurt Warner many moons ago and had great success."
In addition to a contract, Manning would get some extra perks in Arizona, courtesy of Cards' defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. "We are a team that is a few pieces away from getting back to the big game," he said. "We got a perfect fit for him in Arizona. He can get his number and I'll get him parking passes, free doughnuts on Saturdays. I'll make sure my guys clean his cleats up real well. I'll give him all my connections, even my barber."
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Kansas City Chiefs
Despite their demoralizing 2011 season, the Chiefs could sneak in as a suitor for Peyton Manning. Remember this is a team that won its division two years ago and with Jamaal Charles returning from injury and a strong receiving corps led by Dwayne Bowe, Tony Moeaki and Steve Breaston, Manning would have some nice targets in Kansas City.
Picking K.C. could provide another motivation for the guy who was just released by Indianapolis. The Chiefs host the Colts at Arrowhead next year. Now that would be an interesting game to watch.
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
New York Jets
Even though the Jets regressed last year, they still are a playoff contender with plenty of talent at receiver (Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller), running back and the offensive line. And apparently the QB is a wanted man in the Meadowlands: One current player told the New York Daily News that Manning "needs to be a Jet." Having both Manning brothers playing in New York would certainly be juicy fodder the New York tabloids.
However, some might recall what happened when the Jets lured another superstar free agent under center a few years ago. If Peyton Manning has any memories of how the Brett Favre-Jets relationship ended, the low-key QB might look elsewhere - preferably a city without the glaring lights and media frenzy.
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
San Francisco 49ers
This would be an interesting scenario. Of the teams on this list, the Niners are obviously the cream of the crop, nearly making it to the Super Bowl last year. So it's easy to say that adding Peyton Manning would put them over the top.
However, Alex Smith performed well last season (especially in the playoffs), and coach Jim Harbaugh has said that Smith is "the guy" to take the 49ers to a Super Bowl title. As CBSSports.com's Will Brinson notes, while signing Manning would be tempting, the team "would be throwing a lot of progress away if they went after Manning and he wasn't healthy."
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks aren't presumed to be a frontrunner in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes but he might just be the missing part of the Seattle puzzle. The team just resigned Marshawn Lynch to a long-term contract and the most glaring weakness on the offense is at quarterback (apologies to Tavaris Jackson).
His fragile neck may find comfort in Seattle too. Coming off a series of major surgeries, Manning would get the protection he needs on the Seahawks. As CBSSports.com's Will Brinson says: "The Seahawks need to improve a little at guard, but they've got a lot invested in an offensive line that played well late last year and could keep Manning on his feet."
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Washington Redskins
The Manning to D.C. logic is simple. The Redskins have a major quarterback problem and a history of dishing out lots of cash to older free agents. So it would be no surprise to see owner Dan Snyder and coach Mike Shanahan make a strong push for the star quarterback. The Redskins showed flashes last season (they beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants twice) but their offensive firepower is lacking. Will a respected coach, a potentially huge paycheck and a solid defense be enough to lure Manning to Washington?
UPDATE: The team apparently did not have eyes for Manning after all. The Redskins and St. Louis Rams have a deal in place for Washington to move into the No. 2 overall spot in next month's NFL draft. The Redskins will use the pick to acquire Heisman trophy winning QB Robert Griffin III.
Listen to a CBSSports.com podcast discussion of where Peyton Manning might play next:
Peyton Manning: Where will he play next?
Vote: Where will Manning end up?
(CBS/AP) Peyton Manning is one of just four players to reach 50,000 yards passing, one of three with more than 350 TD tosses, and one of two quarterbacks with more than 200 starts in a row. He broke all of the franchise's major career passing records, previously held by Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas.
In 2009, Manning led the Colts to the cusp of NFL history with a 14-0 start, fueling talk of an unbeaten season.
But it has been mostly bad news ever since.
The Colts pulled their starters against the Jets and lost the final two games that season. Indy then wound up losing to New Orleans in the Super Bowl. During the offseason, Manning had the first of his neck operations.
Then, after making an early playoff exit in the 2010 season, Manning underwent another neck surgery to repair a damaged nerve that was causing weakness in his throwing arm.
When the nerve did not heal as quickly as expected, Manning had two vertebrae fused in September, an operation that forced him to miss a game for the first time in his NFL career. There are still questions about the strength of Manning's arm.
But given all that he's accomplished -- a record four MVP awards, his
50,000 yards passing and his 200 consecutive starts -- there are sure to be lots of suitors.
"I'm throwing it pretty well. I've still got some work to do; I've got some progress to make," Manning said. "But I've come a long way. I've really worked hard. I can't tell you the hours and the time I've put in."