Even before Peyton Manning appeared on the NFL's internal personnel notice this afternoon, speculation was rampant about his next destination.
After his final press conference with the Indianapolis Colts, Manning boarded a private jet bound for a return to South Florida, where he's residing this off-season. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is very interested in signing Manning and free agent wide receiver Reggie Wayne, Manning's longtime receiver and a University of Miami product, and Manning's arrival was greeted with blanket coverage by the local media.
The Seattle Seahawks reportedly sent out feelers on Manning and the New York Jets are not hiding their interest in the four-time Most Valuable Player. Mike Klis of The Denver Post reports the Denver Broncos will inquire about Manning, but are likely to stick with 2010 first-round pick Tim Tebow and calling the Broncos "the longest of longshots" to sign Manning.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports that there's a belief the Broncos are positioning themselves to make a major push for Manning, which is supported by a CBS4's Vic Lombardi report that the Broncos have already called on Manning and are "SERIOUS players" for the future of Hall of Famer, with head coach John Fox and President John Elway able to sell Manning on the team's vaunted running game powered by a stable offensive line.
As for Tebow, he could either request a trade or sit behind Manning and be used in certain packages, possibly as a versatile running back or H-Back. Tebow is under contract through the 2014 season and is scheduled to earn $1.15 million in base salary this season with a small cap number of $2.719 million. Tebow has triggered base salary escalators in the final two years of his rookie contract that has added $5.425 million to his 2013 salary (which now stands at $6.055 million) and $6.415 million to his 2014 salary (which is now $7.145 million), which are not "backup quarterback" numbers.
source: Mac's Football Blog
author: Brian McIntyre
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