Peyton Manning Hopes To Pick New Team Soon

Added on Mar 08, 2012 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Peyton Manning may or may not be the greatest quarterback in NFL history but he’s most definitely a class act. Unlike other drama queen quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Manning isn’t planning to string out the process of signing with a new team. In fact, word is that he’s hoping to finalize a new team within a week.

Manning and the Indianapolis Colts officially parted company on Wednesday and interested NFL teams are already lining up to make a pitch for his services. At this stage at least 12 teams have reportedly ‘shown interest’ with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and New York Jets actually making contact with Manning’s agent. The Redskins have reportedly pulled out of the derby in the past few hours, but it’s doubtful that Manning will have to wait long to find a suitable situation.

A few things about what Manning wants are known–he doesn’t want to be part of a ‘rebuilding project’ though he is receptive to going to a team that might be needing a quarterback to reach ‘the next level’ (like Seattle for example). He’d prefer to stay in the AFC but won’t completely rule out going to a NFC if the situation is right. A decent offensive line protecting him would likely be a factor as would a good compliment of playmakers around him.

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino says that Manning will be a good fit anywhere:

“I think he fits with anybody. He’s one of the best to ever play the game at that position. So wherever he ends up playing, if he’s healthy, which is going to be important to Peyton, I’m sure he wants to go out there and play at a high level. Wherever he plays, he’ll be a huge impact for that team.”

After the Wednesday press conference in Indianapolis announcing the end of his relationship with the Colts, Manning admitted that he’s clueless about the process from this point:

“I have no idea who wants me, what team wants me, how this process works. I don’t know if it’s like college recruiting where you go take visits. I mean, this is all so new to me.”