Possible Destinations for Peyton Manning

One of the best quarterbacks in the history of the National Football League may be switching teams this offseason. The Indianapolis Colts have the first pick overall in the 2012 draft and it is highly likely they will take Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck. Peyton Manning is due a a hefty $28 Million roster bonus by March 8, 2012, which leads to speculation they will release him and draft Luck with the first pick overall.

In a recent interview with the Indianapolis Star, Manning expressed uncertainty about whether he would be retained by the Colts. He said he wants to finish his career with the team but, has "no idea" if they will bring him back. Manning has also expressed his desire to continue playing and not retiring. This opens the discussion on where he could end up.

There are many teams that could use the upgrade with the services of Manning lining up behind Center. If he is fully recovered from his neck injury and demonstrates that he is ready to line up with a new team, he will have a long line of suitors.

1. The Arizona Cardinals could be the best fit for Manning. They have one of the best Wide Receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and two other solid receivers in Early Doucet and Andre Roberts. The Cardinals could use an upgrade on the offensive line, but Manning could coax free agent Center Jeff Saturday to come out with him.

Current Cardinals Quarterback Kevin Kolb was just signed to six-year, $65 Million deal, but he is tradeable. According to the Cleveland Plains Dealer, the Browns may be interested in Kolb. Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur and General Manager Tom Heckert were with the Eagles in 2007 when he was drafted early in the second round.

2. The Washington Redskins have to be in the conversation when it comes to a high profile veteran switching teams. Quarterbacks Rex Grossman and John Beck are best suited carrying clipboards. Grossman would be a good backup, but they really cannot go into the 2012 season with the same situation at QB.

Again, Manning could bring Saturday with him to a team in need of offensive line help. If the Redskins would land Manning and Saturday, that would free up that number five spot in the draft for a star like Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon. Blackmon looks a lot like Terrel Owens in his prime. He is a smart kid who could instantly upgrade that group of receivers.

3. The Miami Dolphins have been searching for their star quarterback since the retirement of Dan Marino. Starting QB Chad Henne is a free agent and will likely be gone. Matt Moore was better than Henne, but he would better serve as a back up to Manning. The Dolphins could focus on the offensive line in the draft as they have some weapons in Running Back Reggie Bush and Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall.

4. New York Jets. It has been speculated that New York has room for another Manning, but the question would be, What to do with Mark Sanchez? Sanchez has been deemed "Sanchize," and was a high draft pick. Bringing in Manning is not like bringing in a veteran to push him to work for his job, Sanchez would be out of a job.

Manning would have some nice weapons and a good offensive line to work with in New York. It would also make for an interesting division with two Brady-Manning matchups a year.

5. The San Francisco 49ers are a dark horse. QB Alex Smith is a free agent and played well for rookie Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh put his trust in Smith and it took the team to the NFC Championship game and a couple fumbles short of the Superbowl.

If Manning is healthy, this would make a lot of sense. Smith really is not a long term solution. He had a solid year this year, but, they will likely go after another QB soon. Manning could fill in nicely if he is 100 percent. This team has one thing Manning has never had, an incredible defense. The 49ers are very close to a Superbowl. Tight End Vernon Davis and Running Back Frank Gore with Manning could be very dangerous.

If the Oakland Raiders did not trade a ton of draft picks for Carson Palmer, they would have been listed. They have a solid backfield and a lot of speedy receivers that would benefit from the addition of Manning. It is the Raiders, so you never know what will unfold.

If Manning is close to 100 percent by March and wants to stay in Indianapolis, he will likely be retained and retire as a Colt. If he is not 100 percent and is let go by the Colts, he will actually be a big risk for any team to take on. It better be a team like Miami that would have a solid back up to step if he is not available.