In the frenzied few days since Peyton Manning was released by the Colts, it’s been widely reported that the teams interested in his services would like to get him locked up before free agency begins across the NFL on Tuesday afternoon. But that doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
Sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that Manning is highly unlikely to decide before Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern, when free agency officially starts around the NFL.
That has to be viewed as good news for teams like the Dolphins and Titans, who desperately want to make a play for Manning but so far haven’t been able to get him to visit their facilities, as he has for the Broncos and Cardinals.
One of the benefits of Manning signing before free agency begins would be the ability to enter free agency with an aggressive plan to acquire offensive players who suit Manning’s strengths. So it would make sense, from the teams’ perspective, for the Manning sweepstakes to wrap up today.
But Manning apparently doesn’t want to do it that way, and so he’ll continue to take his time in choosing his new team.