Is Peyton Manning To The Arizona Cardinals A Realistic Option?
By Josh Sanchez
Peyton Manning is going to be the subject of much conversation during the offseason. He was already brought up when “unnamed sources” attacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. While some in the Jets organization may want Manning, the veteran quarterback going to New York just isn’t a realistic option.
While Manning to New York may not happen, you have to wonder what could happen when/if the Indianapolis Colts select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Will Manning be able to co-exist with Luck? Will the Colts be able to hang on to two quarterbacks? If not, where could Manning end up?
The Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers are all thought of more realistic options for Manning by general managers around the league. Charley Casserly of CBS Sports points out that Arizona is really a team to watch in the Manning sweepstakes.
While the Colts have insisted they will not be willing to trade Manning, it would be something they need to consider due to the fact they can work around a $28 million option bonus and save the franchise some money on an aging quarterback. The money they save could be used to put more weapons around their future franchise signal-caller Andrew Luck.
Arizona would be a natural fit for Manning not only because of the offensive talent they could put around him, but the fact that it would give them a way to get out of the horrible situation they got themselves in with Kevin Kolb. Kolb has been a colossal failure in Arizona and the Cardinals can get out of his contract.
With Kolb gone, the Cardinals would need to bring in another quarterback. Manning would be perfect. He has a few years left in him and could join forces with Ken Whisenhunt a la Kurt Warner and make the Cardinals contenders for the short-term
How realistic is Manning to the Cardinals? Only time will tell, however, it is a natural fit and one of the potential suitors that would make the most sense for the future Hall of Famer.
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