Citing “several people familiar with the Redskins’ thinking,” the Washington Post reported Wednesday morning that Mike Shanahan’s team will make an aggressive bid to sign quarterback Peyton Manning after he’s released by the Colts.
On SportsCenter Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter listed the Redskins, along with the Cardinals, Dolphins, and Jets, as the four most “legitimate” suitors for Manning.
Per the Post‘s Mike Jones, the Redskins are “poised to make an aggressive effort” to land Manning, and “will pursue him intently.” The Skins are reportedly already comfortable with the medical risks involved.
A person with knowledge of the organization’s thinking also told Jones that the Redskins will turn their attention to trading up in the draft for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, if the Manning pursuit comes up empty. It’s also possible the Redskins would pair Manning with a young passer, and groom him behind the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer.
Washington probably wouldn’t be inclined to use the No. 6 overall pick on a quarterback if it signed Manning. But Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden, Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, and underrated B.J. Coleman of Tennessee-Chattanooga could be options in the later rounds.