Peyton Manning quickly turned the page on his Indianapolis Colts career, meeting in Denver with John Elway and the Broncos on Friday, a league source told NFL Network's Albert Breer.
The 35-year-old Manning, who was released by the Colts this week, reportedly has the Broncos on his short list of possible destinations and is expected to make a decision by Tuesday, sources told The Denver Post on Friday. The Post also reported that Manning will visit the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals after he meets with the Broncos.
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Manning met with team officials and toured the Broncos facility on Friday, a team source told NFL Network's Michelle Beisner. Manning will stay overnight in Denver and then depart sometime on Saturday, according to NFL Network insider La Canfora. Where he heads next is not clear.
The Dolphins still feel confident they will get their meeting with Manning on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, but they have not yet firmed up a meeting time, team sources told NFL Network's Jeff Darlington.
The NFL's free agency period begins next Tuesday.
Elway, the team's executive vice president of football operations, was is in Stillwater, Okla., for Oklahoma State's pro day and traveled back to Denver Friday. The same plane that took Elway from Stillwater to Denver came from Miami.
There’s a palpable buzz among those involved in the quarterback derby that the Broncos are serious in their interest for Manning. One executive implored Breer on Thursday night, “watch Denver.” Another involved person told Breer it’s anyone’s game after the Miami Dolphins, and the Broncos very much are in the mix.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is prepared to do whatever it takes to land Manning and money will not be an issue, a league source told the Post. Bowlen took a redeye to Denver on Thursday night from his residence in Hawaii in order to meet with Manning, the paper reported.
Some high-ranking Broncos officials have downplayed the Manning idea to others around the league, so clearly there are some mixed messages here. But with nearly $50 million in cap space available to go get Manning help on a roster that won an AFC West title last year, the Broncos are making their pitch.
Much like with the Dolphins, other teams who have expressed interest in Manning still are waiting to hear from his camp, league sources have told La Canfora.
It remains unclear if Manning will throw for teams or if he intends to negotiate a deal without that being a component of the process. As risky as that prospect is to most organizations, it ultimately would only take one owner being willing to meet financial parameters without Manning going through a full battery of on-field work.