So Where to Now For Peyton Manning?

So we now know that Peyton Manning is no longer a Colt and has become a free agent, free to go to whichever franchise he chooses.

At 35, Manning is no spring chicken but he could be as highly valued as the very first quarterback in the NFL draft. There is no doubt plenty of teams in the NFL would love a quarterback of Manning's calibre - even if he may not quite provide the production he did prior to his serious neck injuries. Not very often does a future Hall of Fame quarterback in the first round come on the player market.

Of course the big question mark is whether Manning will actually be able to play, or if he can, whether he'll be the same player he was prior to his injuries. But some teams will have to take the punt or be stuck in obscurity.

Here are 5 teams where Peyton Manning might go - and really who should be interested in Peyton Manning now if they aren't already.

New York Jets - Patience with Mark Sanchez has just about run out in New York and with Rex Ryan's job on the line, one wonders if they may take a punt on Manning. It could take the Jets-Patriots rivalry to another level and might make a strong statement to the Patriots that the Jets really want to win the AFC East, the AFC title and the Super Bowl. The trouble is, after the disaster with Brett Favre, are the Jets willing to take a gamble on a veteran quarterback? And with all the stars at the Jets, can they fit Manning into the salary cap. Possible but quite unlikely move.  

Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins are a good team but not a great team. A key problem with them for the last couple of seasons has been the quarterback position. Pennington and Henne have been tried and failed, then disposed, and the Dolphins finished last season with Matt Moore, a journeyman quarterback on the best of days. Peyton Manning could be the perfect fit but with new coaching staff at the team, would Manning want to embark on what is essentially the start of yet another rebuilding process at the Dolphins - and let's not forget he left Indy because he didn't want to be part of the rebuilding there. Again there's the enticing prospect of playing the Patriots twice in the season but I'd say this move probably won't happen. 

Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have needed a quarterback since Matt Hasselback was surprisingly let go before last season. Tarvaris Jackson is adequate to say the least and the Seahawks have the personnel to be quite a good team. What they need now is a top drawer quarterback and Manning could fit the bill. But they do have quite a bit already on the salary bill so can they afford Manning? They'll have to make a few cuts to the team. Maybe but I just can't see the chemistry working between Manning and the coaches. 

Washington Redskins - The Redskins are a damn good team all over the park. They beat the Giants twice last season and pushed the Eagles and Cowboys. What let them down was their quarterback who kept throwing the ball away and put the pressure back on their tiring defences. Beck and Grossman are no longer of the highest calibre and Mike Shanahan knows he needs a far better quarterback than he does now. The trouble is will he go for the future and trade up the draft to get Robert Griffin III or will he take a gamble and go for Manning? I'd dare to say he might not pass up on the opportunity to draft one of the greatest young stars of the game. Probably not for Manning, then.

Arizona Cardinals - Another team which is looking for a top class quarterback. John Skelton did alright at the back end of the season, leading the Cardinals to comeback win after comeback win so should be in line for the starting quarterback role in 2012 but with Manning available, will Ken Wisenhunt take a punt on the sequel to the Kurt Warner story? You know, the odds are quite good on this happening and the experience Wisenhunt had in reviving an apparently washed-up quarterback and using him to lead the team to the verge of a shock Superbowl victory may prove too enticing for Manning to refuse. Plus Manning might want to give the NFC a go. Good chance on this happening.