Den. & Tenn. Finalists For Peyton
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The seemingly never-ending saga that is Peyton Manning's free agency took another turn Wednesday night, but it wasn't a turn that looks to favor the Miami Dolphins.
According to multiple reports, the Tennessee Titans offered Manning a front-office job once he finishes his career and Titans owner Bud Adams said he's ready to make Manning a Titan for life.
The Titans' alleged offer seems to have put the franchise into the driver's seat to land Manning this offseason. If the Titans do end up with Manning, it runs the distinct risk of alienating second-year quarterback Jake Locker, who will presumably have to wait 3-4 years for his chance to start.
The other team that still has a legitimate shot at landing Manning is the Denver Broncos. The Broncos were the first team Manning visited, and the future Hall of Fame quarterback may like the fact that John Elway is calling the shots in Denver.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said the two finalists are Denver and Tennessee, so now it looks like it's just a matter of time before Peyton picks between the two franchises.
If it's about getting to the Super Bowl quickly, Manning will likely choose the Broncos. Denver was a playoff team last year with Tim Tebow as a quarterback. So if they have a quarterback like Manning, who can complete passes, they could be Super Bowl contenders immediately.
For the Miami Dolphins, it's just the latest sign that not only is the franchise not what it used to be. The Fins have now been rejected in very public manners by two great head coaches and arguably the best quarterback of the last generation.
Losing out on Manning will also hamper the Dolphins' season ticket sales as fans quickly begin to realize that Miami is not in a win-now mode, but rather in a rebuilding mode.
