Seattle will be one of the teams trying to land Peyton Manning, a team source confirmed to the Seattle Times on Wednesday.
The Seahawks interest had been reported earlier by Peter King of Sports Illustrated, and the NFL Network said the Seahawks were preparing to reach out to Manning as soon as he was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, the Times wrote.
Our earlier story:
As sports fans, commentators and team managers around the country begin to openly lust after Peyton Manning, KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says not only are there a lot of reasons for the Seahawks to want him, but there are a lot of reasons for him to want the Seahawks.
Manning parted ways with the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday and is now a free agent. A lot of NFL insiders say the Seahawks have a realistic chance of getting Manning.
However, other teams have been reported to be aggressively pursuing Manning.
Competition for Manning
The 35-year-old Manning is expected to generate interest from a half-dozen or so NFL clubs, provided he's healthy. Manning is coming off a series of operations to his neck and missed all of last season when his team's record plummeted to 2-14, the Associated Press reports. Manning says he's throwing the ball well now but there's still work to be done.
According to the Washington Post, Manning stressed that he is not about to retire, that his recovery from neck surgery is continuing. Manning also has not considered which NFL team will be the second he plays for.
Among the teams that will attempt to secure Manning’s services next season are the Washington Redskins, and the franchise might be ready to make a big offer to sweeten the deal.
The Redskins are poised to make an aggressive effort in coming days, the Post reports, and the San Francisco 49ers, who fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance last season, might also seek the player.
- Denver Post: Broncos will inquire about Peyton Manning, source says, but likely to stick with Tebow
- NBC Sports: Didinger: Eagles should pursue Peyton
A fan's love of Manning comes through in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hr6CVURWpU
Seattle in the running?
However, Thiel says the Seahawks still have good shot at getting him, mainly due to the fact that they're at least $20 million under the salary cap and could afford him.
Art says it would be a boon for Seattle in more ways than one.
"It would be a great step forward for the Seahawks from the standpoint of profile, prestige and getting rid of Seattle's image as a backwater."
Multiple national media outlets with NFL sources have speculated that the Seahawks are among the most eager pursuers. The Seahawks, and all teams, deny comment as the free agency period opens.
Find out more of what Art has to say in his weekly commentary Friday morning at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88.5 KPLU. Then check back here for a blog of our conversation.
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