DENVER – Free agent quarterback Peyton Manning has narrowed down his options to just two teams: the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals, sources tell ESPN.
Manning spent Friday and Saturday meeting with Broncos executives before traveling to Arizona, where he visited with Cardinals general manager Rod Graves, head coach Ken Whisenhunt, assistant coaches and Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Manning left Arizona Sunday evening and was expected to return to his home in Florida. The Miami Dolphins were once considered strong contenders in the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes. However, ESPN reports Miami is no longer high on his list.
One source who spoke with the 11-time Pro Bowler prior to his trip to Arizona said “his gut is that Manning is leaning toward Denver.”
Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, 89, wants Peyton Manning, and is “prepared to make a competitive offer to get him.”
According to The Tennessean, Adams contacted Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, to set up a meeting:
“He is the man I want. Period,” Adams told the paper by phone. “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.”
“I hope to be one of the teams he looks at,” Adams said. “Since he went to school in Tennessee I think Tennessee is where he should be. I think he could play for two or three years. I think he’s the guy that could come in and turn this around for us.”
Adams also told The Tennessean he would “speak to Manning about staying in the front office whenever Manning decides to retire.”
Both Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow are represented by CAA Sports.
Manning is expected to announce his decision early this week.
Related:
- Sources: Broncos the “frontrunners in the Manning Sweepstakes
- Manning-mania takes social media by storm
- Elway, Broncos court Peyton Manning at Dove Valley
