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This season one of the NFL’s top Quarterbacks Peyton Manning is due to become a free agent unless he reaches an agreement with the Colts before that.  The first thing that must be considered is Manning’s age; he’ll be 35 before the start of next season (pending no lockout).  Because of his age it puts more pressure on the team to be good, Manning isn’t in the position to be able to wait for the Colts to rebuild and the Colts need to be rebuilt.  Last season the Colts had the 20^th overall ranked defense (13^th in passing, 25^th in rushing) and were 29^th in the league in rushing.  The Colts were obviously a team that was carried by their passing game which was ranked first in the league thanks to Peyton Manning.  It also took the Colts until Week 17 to clinch their division over Jacksonville and didn’t even make it out of the first round.  This shows that the Colts built right now are not a team that is going to contend for a championship next season.

So that brings up the question of if Manning shouldn’t resign with the Colts then where should he go?  First take a look at the teams that need a Quarterback.  The Bills cannot be satisfied with Ryan Fitzpatrick but I wouldn’t expect them to be able to draw Peyton to Buffalo.  The Bengals might need a Quarterback if they give into Carson Palmer’s trade demand but if Palmer has issue with the team there might be big problems.  The Browns need a Quarterback but they are also rebuilding and in a worse situation then the Colts.  Jacksonville and Tennessee are the same type of situation, I couldn’t see Manning leaving for either divisional rival when neither is much better.  The Raiders always seem to be looking for a Quarterback but I don’t see them as a legitimate option.  The Redskins are a mess of an organization but Manning would only go if he was looking exclusively for a payday.  The Panthers will probably stick with Claussen for another year.  The 49ers may need a new Quarterback plus just think of the humor of Manning playing for Jim Harbaugh (if you don’t get it look up the ’97 Colts roster, the year before they drafted Manning).    In total I think there are 6 teams that are just as good a fit or a better fit for Manning then the Colts, those teams are the Dolphins, Cowboys, Bears, Vikings, Cardinals and Seahawks.

The Dolphins are a good option for Manning because they give him a good chance to win.  The Dolphins’ biggest weakness last season was the Quarterback position.  Their defense was ranked 6^th last season (8^th in passing, 7^th in rushing).  They were ranked 21^st in rushing but it can be speculated that is because teams forced Miami to beat them with the pass.  The Dolphins might still go into next season with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.  The biggest drawback to going to Miami is the tough division.  There is little doubt that the AFC East is already one of the toughest divisions in football with the Jets and Pats but adding Manning to the Dolphins makes it the toughest.  This would most likely cost one of the teams a spot in the playoffs and that still might be the Dolphins.

The Cowboys are a very interesting fit for Manning.  They are one of the most talented teams in the NFL.  They have one of the best receiving units in the NFL with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Jason Witten.  They are also very talented at Running Back with Felix Jones, Marian Barber and Tashard Choice.  Where they are lacking is Quarterback, many feel Tony Romo is a good Quarterback but he lacks the skills that will get the Cowboys to the next level.  The drawback is the division, like it would be with Miami.  The Giants and Eagles are two tough teams that even with Manning the Cowboys would not be favored in the division.

The Bears are one of the most interesting destinations.  This is a team that was a game away from the Super Bowl and will have plenty on controversy with their Quarterback.  Currently the Bears are not strong at Wide Receiver but they have a good running game and a pass first system that Manning would play very well in.  What they could get back from Cutler (most likely draft picks) they could use to fill holes at WR and on the offensive line.  Adding Manning would take away most the turnovers that caused the Bears problems this season.  There aren’t many drawbacks to going to the Bears.  They are already a top team in the NFC and adding Manning would make them the team to beat.

The Vikings are another very interesting team.  They have some very good receivers in Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice.  They also have a top running game with Adrian Peterson.  Their biggest struggles came with the inconsistent Quarterback play.  Adding Manning would balance the team out a make them become one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.  The biggest drawback would be the age of the defense and the inexperienced coaching staff.  At this point the coaching staff needs to grow with a young core so they would be best off going with a young Quarterback but the potential that Manning brings could encourage some quick growth on the coaching staff, plus the Colts went to a Super Bowl with an inexperienced coach.

The Cardinals are another interesting spot.  They are only 2 years removed from their Super Bowl appearance.  Most of their core is still with the team and they are strong at Wide Receiver with arguably the best in the NFL Larry Fitzgerald.  The Cardinals’ weakest spot was probably Quarterback after losing Kurt Warner to retirement.  Their biggest drawback is their running game (last in the NFL) which has struggled over the last few years.  Also their defense was ranked 29^th (23^rd passing, 30^th rushing).  They need to improve their running game and defense but a Manning-Fitzgerald combination would be unstoppable.

The Seahawks may be looking for a Quarterback because Matt Hasselbeck is getting up in age.  They lack the offensive weapons that teams like the Cowboys and Vikings have but they are a team that won their division (7-9) and a playoff game (home vs Saints) last season.  Manning could own the NFC West if he were to join the team that is already the top team in the division.  Their drawback is that they are not an elite team and it could be argued that the talent on the Seahawks is not any better then the talent on the Colts minus Manning.  The Seahawks are still ranked 27^th in defense (27^th in passing, 21^st in rushing) and they don’t have a go to weapon on offense.  They have an easy schedule every year (2 vs. SF, 2 vs. Arizona, 2 vs. St Louis).

Right now the Colts are an average team if Manning were replaced with an average Quarterback.  It might be the best option for Manning to stay with the Colts but he should explore the possibilities of free agency because there are a select few teams that he can help like no other Quarterback can and he can get himself back to the Super Bowl.