The possibilities for quarterback Peyton Manning are, at the moment, wide open.
Yes, he's under contract with the Denver Broncos for two more seasons. Yes, it seems he was hindered by quad injuries that may have limited his effectiveness down the stretch, especially in the loss to the Colts, so talk of his being physically unable to perform as an NFL quarterback next year and possibly beyond are probably overblown.
He could stay in Denver and help the Broncos and general manager, John Elway, fix what has apparently become broken.
He could decide the stresses - the mental, physical and emotional toll of playing in the NFL - are no longer something he desires, and call it a (Hall of Fame-worthy) career.
Or, should the changes in Denver continue and subsequently lead to his parting ways with the Broncos as well - via dismissal or of his own volition - he could look to continue that illustrious career elsewhere.
Were this final option to come to pass and Manning to hit the open market as a free agent for the second time, what quarterback needy-teams would fit the aging signal-caller best?
At 38, it's hard to envision Manning seeking out a cold weather team, so we can probably cross Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills off the list right away. The New York Jets too. Plus, the prospect of facing Tom Brady and the New England Patriots twice a season probably doesn't interest him.
The Arizona Cardinals already have their own aging, expensive, injury-prone signal-caller in Carson Palmer. They're out.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the first pick in the draft and, unless they're planning to flip it for a bevy of later picks and/or players, they'll almost assuredly be selecting their future franchise quarterback.
The Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders are all either not yet ready to give up on, or still developing, young signal-callers.
The Houston Texans are a team on the rise and, seemingly, only a quarterback away. The addition of Manning would immediately put them into the postseason and Super Bowl conversation. But Bill O'Brien passed on Manning last time he was a free agent, despite Manning's interest, and is probably even less interested now.
The best fit and the best story for Manning and the NFL at large would have to be the Tennessee Titans.
Manning played his college ball as a Tennessee Volunteer. He has been in the discussion as potential part of the Titans future ownership group. Coach Ken Whisenhunt is a close friend of Manning's after the two met during a Pro Bowl when Whisenhunt was still the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Titans owner Bud Adams made his interest in Manning very clear last time he was available and the organization could do the same this time around.
With the young, talented, but not-yet-ready Zach Mettenberger already in the fold, Whisenhunt could bring Manning in almost as a stop-gap, allowing Mettenberger to develop while immediately increasing the team's overall talent level and possibly pushing them closer to playoff contention.
The Titans do have serious roster issues on both sides of the ball, but they play in a weak division and Peyton's potential addition would make up for a number of their deficiencies on offense.
Another team that could be a fit for Peyton is the St. Louis Rams.
They play in a tough NFC West division, but they're a dome team with a plethora of offensive weapons - Kenny Britt, Jared Cook, Tavon Austin, Tre Mason - and an already strong defense that seems poised to take a huge step next season.
Quarterback Sam Bradford is under contract for one more season - at a ludicrous $13 million cap hit - and the team has said they'd like him back, but with his injury history and mediocre play when he has been healthy, there's no reason that Coach Jeff Fisher shouldn't jump at the chance to land a player of Manning's ilk.
He would immediately upgrade their offense from serviceable to playoff-caliber and combined with their defense, could make them a formidable foe in the West.
This article has been edited.
