National Football League

Report: Peyton aims to find deal soon

Published Mar. 8, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Peyton Manning sweepstakes could come to a close within the next week, people close to the four-time MVP told ESPN Thursday.

According to the report, the Manning camp is hoping to complete a deal by next week, with the newly-minted free agent looking to stay in the AFC, but remaining open to offers from NFC teams.

Manning, who turns 36 on March 24, was released by the Colts Wednesday, closing the book on his remarkable 14-year career in Indianapolis.

Citing league sources, the NFL Network reported the Cardinals, Dolphins, Redskins, Broncos and Seahawks have begun pursuing the future Hall of Fame signal caller.

As many as 12 teams reportedly have reached out to Manning's camp to gauge his interest in playing for them, according to ESPN.

"I have no idea who wants me, what team wants me," Manning said Wednesday at an impromptu news conference in Miami after officially announcing his departure from the Colts in Indianapolis.

"I literally have not had one conversation with anyone about these teams. It's been so hard to try to figure out some closure with my situation with the Colts that I haven't really concerned myself with that."

The Colts opted to release Manning instead of picking up a $28 million option on his contract for next season. The decision to part ways with the 11-time Pro Bowler was due in large part to Manning missing the entire 2011 season following a string of neck surgeries.

Manning, who has played his entire NFL career in Indianapolis after the Colts selected him with the top overall pick in 1998, has been vigorously rehabbing in hopes of resuming his NFL career in 2012.

In releasing Manning, Colts owner Jim Irsay has opted to roll the dice on a new quarterback of the future. The Colts, who finished a league-worst 2-14 last season in Manning's absence, hold the first pick in April's NFL Draft.

The team is expected to select Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck for the task of filling Manning's enormous shoes.

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