NFL teams are wasting no time in declaring their interest in free agent quarterback Peyton Manning.
Of the NFL’s 32 teams, 12 of them contacted Manning’s representatives in the hours after the Colts made his release official, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Among the teams that have reportedly reached out are the Cardinals, Seahawks, Broncos, Dolphins, Redskins, Titans and Jets. At least five other teams that are keeping their intentions quiet for now have also privately reached out.
Manning said there is no favorite because he has had no time to start looking ahead, but that he expects that process to start soon.
“I literally have not had one conversation with anyone about these teams,” Manning told reporters upon arriving in Miami. “But now I realize that process has to start. I haven’t thought about teams.”
The process will include Manning showing teams that he can throw, perhaps at individual workouts or perhaps at a pro day-style workout that every team is welcome to attend. While Manning said on Wednesday that his throwing is improving, he didn’t say it’s back to where it was before last year’s neck surgeries. So it’s not clear whether he’s ready to throw for teams now.
But when he is ready, at least 12 teams want to be there.