Earlier this week a story surfaced that Peyton Manning would likely retire because the nerves that extend from his neck to his shoulder and arm have not cooled and healed as expected and, in turn, would truncate his velocity if he should play again.
However, on Thursday night news broke that Manning has been cleared to rehab and play football by two doctors, including Dr. Robert Watkins who performed Manning's neck surgery in December.
Watkins said that Manning's neck fusion surgery had achieved firm fixation, and the four time MVP should begin an aggressive rehab program in time to return to the field next year.
Now the questions will abound about where Manning will play next season. The Colts seem intent on moving past Manning and drafting Stanford's Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in April's draft. Before that happens, the Colts have to either pay Manning his $28 million signing bonus in March, or release him from his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Numerous teams from the Redskins, Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers, Dolphins, and Jets are all be rumored to be interested in Manning.
On the Jets part, owner Woody Johnson has never TKO'd the notion that Manning would be in green and white next year, and rumors have swirled that the Jets are ready to pursue him. Even players in the Jets locker room have expressed their desire, albeit anonymously, to have Manning on the team next year. Heck, even Jets hall of fame running back Curtis Martin endorsed the idea of having Peyton Manning in the Big Apple.
For that to happen, the Jets would have to likely outbid the Redskins, Dolphins and Cardinals who are thought to be the most aggressive pursuers of Manning. The Redskins and Dolphins have deep pockets, but the Cardinals at least offer Manning a better chance to win coming out of the dreadful NFC West.
In addition, the Jets are paying Mark Sanchez $16 million over the next two years which could prevent Gang Green from making any move. So, stay tuned...
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