The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Friday that longtime Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning might be interested in playing for the Miami Dolphins if he becomes a free agent this offseason.
A league source told the newspaper that the Dolphins are among the teams Manning would consider joining, assuming he's healthy enough to play football. A second source confirmed Manning's interest.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has said his team is looking for a franchise quarterback. Late last month, the Miami Herald reported that the Dolphinswould consider adding Manning.
Manning missed the entire 2011 season after having neck surgery. On Friday, Manning's agent, Tom Condon, told NFL Network's Albert Breer that Manning "absolutely is determined to play, and he's been making a good deal of improvement, and I expect him to be back on the football field again."
Manning's surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins Sr., had issued a statement Thursday, saying Manning was "medically cleared" to play football. Condon said Friday the timing of Manning's rehabilitation is uncertain and depends on the regeneration of nerves in his neck.
Manning likely isn't the only quarterback on the Dolphins' radar. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington at the Pro Bowl that he would like to play withPackers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who's set to become a free agent and would be familiar with new coach Joe Philbin, who was Green Bay's offensive coordinator.
