Peyton Manning to the Redskins?

By Rich Tandler

On the NFL Network, Michael Lombardi suggested that the Colts might move on from Peyton Manning in anticipation of drafting Andrew Luck in April and he speculates Redskins could be a landing spot for the 35-year-old quarterback.

Manning is due a $28 million bonus in March, so the Colts are forced to make a decision by then. If they pay him the bonus, the cost and salary cap implications are such that the Colts would be forced to hold on to Manning for another two to three years. Luck is touted as the most NFL ready quarterback to come out in years and it is doubtful that he will be happy sitting on the bench in Indy for that long.

Lombardi says that the Redskins may be in the market for Manning because they have money and a desperate need for a quarterback. It is important to note here that Lombardi is merely hypothesizing here; he does not have any kind of inside information that the Redskins would be interested in Manning.

"Lot of money, lot of availability," said Lombardi. "And oh, by the way, they really need a quarterback badly. They need a signature face on their franchise."

Of course, any deal for Manning will have to come with a clean bill of health. No team will consider dealing for him or paying him the money he will be looking for without assurances that the issues with his neck are behind him.

So, what do you think? Should the Redskins kick the tires on one of the five best quarterbacks of all time and try to grab a Lombardi Trophy in the next few years? Or should they draft and develop their quarterback of the future knowing full well that even highly-drafted signal callers are a 50-50 bet to make it?

Let us know in the comments.

 

Comments

[JimBobv2]

I think the sticking point will be Kyle Shanahan and his offense.

Lombardi talked about how Peyton has played in pretty much the same offense his entire NFL career and his OC from Indy might follow him.

I can't see Mike Shanahan replacing Kyle Shanahan.

While I would love to see the Redskins get an upgrade at QB, I don't see Peyton Manning coming here. But, it would be interesting......

[Sand2Stone]

Could Kyle handle Peyton calling so much of the offense? I don't recall Peyton being that mobile so wouldn't the entire scheme have to be redone?

The Redskins philosophy finally seems to be "prepare for the future" not "live in the now." I kind of don't want to go back to the lets sign an aging past his prime big name so we can think we're relevant attitude that used to define the Redskins.

[Ismail Madni]

Polian/Irsay: "Hey Peyton, will you re-do your contract so we stop you from choosing where you go, and decide it ourselves? Oh, and by the way, this will help us take resources from your new team."

Manning: "Sure thing! Where the heck do I sign?"

[CJCranford]

No. Tired of bandaids. Especially a 35 year old one with a history of neck injuries. Let's develop a young QB and be good for years.

[Jeff Harmon]

Hey Rich,

Is it me or is this the Donovon McNabb thing all over again. Do we always have to be the team holding the bag, when everyone finds out a guy can't play any more. Isn't there evidence enough that Manning has serious issues with his neck the fact that he had to get two surgeries, within a few months of one another and he's just now has the bones lodged in so he even can begin his neck rehab process. Isn't it even a bigger warning that he still, after months and many surgeries and operations, has no time line as to when his healing process will end? Are the Redskins really dumb enough to think this is a good idea?

I warned everyone about McNabb, first of all Eagle QB's just plain suck in any system besides Reids and then he traded him within the division a sure sign that he can't play anymore, but everyone naively thought it was a good idea. Now I'm warning everyone about Peyton, don't get him...its a terrible idea. This guy might not even be able to play next year, much less play well. This is a terrible decision and his rehab is going very poorly...despite what the media is teling you. An average time frame for this injury is 5-9 months, this injury has lingered and gone on for a year now. Something is wrong. Let's not be the team of suckers that finds out what.

I would prefer us drafting a QB instead of signing Peyton Manning. A guy that I believe is really under the radar but will be a good one is Nick Foles, who reminds me a lot of Matt Shaub except slightly more athletic. He's got an nfl arm but what I really love about this guy is his touch, he just puts the ball where his WR and TE's can make a play on it. That is real accuracy. He's looking like a high 3rd round pick, exactly where Matt Shaub was taken. Selecting him at that spot, would also allow us to us to trade down our higher draft picks, get a starting LG and RT and a few other great pieces along the way, which we desperately need.

[Billy Crawford]

Great post, Jeff.