Fansided

5 teams desperate enough to sign Peyton Manning in 2016

By John Buhler

Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns. 4. player. 53. . AFC. North

The Cleveland Browns have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, thanks to their disastrous 3-13 campaign this past year. Cleveland is, far and away, the most dysfunctional organization in the NFL entering 2016 (same story, new year).  They brought in former MLB general manager Paul DePodesta, of Moneyball fame, to help this NFL franchise that seemingly hits new lows every season.

Though many would assume that Cleveland would use its first round pick on a starting quarterback for the fourth time in a decade – following the failed experiments of Brady Quinn (2007), Brandon Weeden (2012) and Johnny Manziel (2014) – maybe the Browns convince themselves that none of Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz are the next great franchise quarterback.

Cleveland could draft smart and take defensive Joey Bosa out of nearby Ohio State at No. 2 and put off looking for a starting quarterback for another year (or at least until deeper in the draft). One very temporary solution for the Browns at quarterback would be to sign Peyton Manning to a one-year deal in 2016.

Why would Manning go to Cleveland, other than being able to start for an NFL team in 2016? Two reasons: he and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam are both University of Tennessee graduates. The business savvy Manning could perhaps get some under-the-table stock in Pilot Flying J, Haslam’s traveling conglomerate.

The other reason is that new head coach Hue Jackson is a great offensive coach who helped turn the Cincinnati Bengals into a perennial threat in the AFC North. Cleveland already has an All-Pro left tackle in Joe Thomas, and a big-play wide out in Travis Benjamin. If Manning and Haslam are that desperate, maybe it works in Cleveland in 2016.

Next: 3. Houston Texans

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