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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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Oct 25, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

51. . NFC. West. Los Angeles Rams. 2. player

A large reason the Rams left St. Louis to return to Los Angeles after a 20-year absence was for financial purposes and expanding the NFL’s brand. Rams owner Stan Kroenke plans to build a West Coast football cathedral that will have a campus for the NFL Network to operate.

Peyton Manning is a sound business man who endorses everything from chicken parmesan to mid-size sedans. Relocating to Los Angeles for the 2016 NFL season to play for the Los Angeles Rams makes a lot of sense for Manning should he want to play next year.

Los Angeles already has a great defense and the next great star at running back in Todd Gurley. Manning will play for a coach he competed against during their time in the AFC South, former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Rams head coach Jeff Fisher. The Rams have had no luck at quarterback in recent years and even a last-rodeo Manning would be an upgrade over either Nick Foles or Case Keenum.

Just because the Rams failed in Los Angeles 20 years ago doesn’t mean that it will fail now. Manning and his camp should consider playing at least one year for Kroenke, if for no other reason than to usher the league back into the Los Angeles culture.

Manning has played in small market Indianapolis and mid-market Denver. Starring, even one year, for the Rams in Los Angeles expands his reach and thus his legacy as an all-time great NFL quarterback. Peyton goes to Hollywood – it has a nice ring to it.

Maybe he becomes a savior to an NFC franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004. The Rams were desperate enough to relocate their football team halfway across the country to play in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum while Kroenke’s stadium is being built; maybe the Rams are desperate enough to sign Manning to a one-year deal.

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