National Football League
Report: Peyton may decide by Tuesday
National Football League

Report: Peyton may decide by Tuesday

Published Mar. 11, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

Prized free agent Peyton Manning met with the Arizona Cardinals for more than six hours Sunday and is nearing a decision on where he will play next season.

The four-time NFL MVP is looking to make that decision by Tuesday, the Denver Post reported, citing a source.

Manning left Arizona for his home in Miami Sunday night, having already met with the Denver Broncos on Friday and Saturday.

He was yet to meet with the Miami Dolphins, and it was not clear whether that would happen, but a Post source said owner Stephen Ross was "ready to make a major offer" for the superstar quarterback.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Titans also want in on the Manning sweepstakes, with owner Bud Adams telling The Tennessean Sunday that he too was ready to make a competitive offer.

"He is the man I want. Period," Adams said. "And the people that work for me understand that. They know who I want. I want Mr. Manning with the Titans and I will be disappointed if it doesn't happen."

The San Francisco 49ers are another team set to join the hunt, but are yet to get involved because they were working on a contract with incumbent quarterback Alex Smith, who can become a free agent at 2:00pm Tuesday, according to the Post.

Contracts were not discussed during Manning's visits to Denver or Arizona, at his request, the Post reported. Manning was said to be more interested in learning more about the people he may be playing for and the teams' facilities.

He was reportedly impressed with the Broncos and "liked" Hall of Fame quarterback and team executive vice president of football operations John Elway.

The Pro Football Network reported earlier Sunday that Tim Tebow will have performed his last Mile High Miracle if the Broncos win the race to land Manning.

A source close to the team said Tebow, 24, stands to be traded upon the arrival of the 35-year-old.

The report claims the Jacksonville Jaguars are lining themselves up to acquire the unconventional quarterback, who led the Broncos on a sometimes-improbable run to the AFC West title last season. The Denver source claimed Tebow's starting spot would be safe should Manning snub the Broncos.

Tebow made no comment regarding his future in Denver while speaking with reporters at a fundraiser for a wounded war veteran in Tampa on Friday night.

Having undergone four neck surgeries in a 19-month span, Manning is trying to relaunch his NFL career after missing the 2011 season with the Indianapolis Colts.

There have been varying reports over the past month about his recovery, and Manning admitted he "still has some progress to make."

The Colts, who are expected to select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top pick in April's draft, cut ties with Manning Wednesday -- closing the book on a 14-year run that included a Super Bowl win and 11 Pro Bowls.

share


Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more