Acquiring a quarterback in the NFL via free agency or trade brings the phrase "buyer beware" to mind.
Anyone who has watched NFL coverage the last two months knows that Peyton Manning's future is a hot topic. It seems likely that Manning's time is over in Indianapolis. The Colts have the first pick in the draft, and Colts owner Jim Irsay has cleaned house of key members of the "Peyton Era."
The quarterback and the owner have embarked on a media war to discredit each other over the health of Manning's neck. Manning says his neck is fine, but he's had three surgeries (or four, according to Sports Illustrated). Irsay counters that the Colts' doctors say Manning's neck is not fine, and he hints that Manning should call it a career. Irsay is slowly forcing Manning out of town.
Just for a moment, let's assume that Manning's neck is fully healed. Is there be a market for the quarterback, and does any team fit him? To answer the first question: Yes, even if he is 35 years old. Teams with quarterback needs will line up for Manning if he is medically cleared to play football again. The more important question is what teams fit best for Manning.
The perfect ending to Manning's career would be coming back home. However, with few chances for another title, odds are very slim that Manning will land in New Orleans,.
New Orleans' fans hope the Saints can re-sign Drew Brees, who faces the same challenge as Manning: finding a team with a chance at winning a title in a short amount of time. This forces Brees to stay in New Orleans and leaves Manning with few options. Teams at the top of the NFL Draft are looking to acquire young quarterbacks from college.
There might be five teams in the NFC that would take a shot on Manning: Washington and the whole NFC West. In the AFC, five teams could want him: Miami, Buffalo and the whole AFC West (except San Diego).
Arizona and Kansas City are interesting spots, but they already overpaid for Kevin Kolb and Matt Cassel. San Francisco and Denver can't get rid of Alex Smith or Tim Tebow because of last year's playoff runs. St. Louis is praying Sam Bradford comes around and becomes a star. Oakland has 20 quarterbacks and still can't find a starter.
That leaves Washington, Buffalo, Seattle and Miami. On paper, none of those teams look ready to win a Super Bowl.
Manning, like Brees, has few viable options for championship runs.
Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.
More like this story
More stories by this author
Support our reporting -- Follow the MFP.
