The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the Redskins would make an “aggressive effort” to sign free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. The feeling would have to be mutual for Manning to actually become a Redskin, of course.
According to Chris Russell of ESPN 980 Washington, it isn’t.
Russell appeared on SportsCenter Thursday and, citing multiple sources, reported that Manning doesn’t want to play in the nation’s capital and has already informed the team.
“A couple of different sources inside the organization have told me that Manning’s camp made it pretty clear to Redskins officials he doesn’t want to come here,” said Russell. “… There’s lots of reasons for that. His brother Eli, the colder weather, the whole situation down in Miami and so on and so forth. But unless that changes — and I’m taking my sources at their word — I don’t think Manning’s coming here to D.C.”
This is the first formal report that Manning doesn’t want to play for the Skins, though that reality has been commonly speculated for the past several weeks.
Russell, who hosts a popular radio show in D.C., believes the Washington fan base would prefer Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III over Manning, anyway. If Russell’s report is accurate, the fans stands a much better chance to get their wish.