NFL executives have identified Arizona and Seattle as places Manning would be interested in. Both teams obviously could use an upgrade at quarterback, and both have rising young defenses, along with run games that made strides this season. Both teams are in a division that traditionally has been weak (though the rise of the Niners changes that a bit). And just like Peyton's current home, neither city has an overwhelming media presence.

In Seattle, Sidney Rice can be a weapon if he just can stay healthy. The Seahawks have been a heavy-spending team. Marshawn Lynch (1,204 yards, 12 TDs in 2011) provides the Seahawks with a decent run game, and the defense rose from 27th to ninth from 2010 to this season.

Unlike the Seahawks, the Cardinals have not been heavy-spenders in free agency. Getting out of Kevin Kolb's contract wouldn't be a problem, but would the Bidwills be willing to step up for No. 18? Manning has gotten to know Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt at Pro Bowls over the years and they share a mutual admiration. The biggest plus might be game-breaking receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Washington's offensive line is every bit as bad as Indy's and the roster is deprived of skill players. The Redskins also have a history of turmoil and instability. And don't forget, in the NFC East, he'd be facing little brother Eli twice a year. I don't see it, and execs I talk to expect Washington to make a move for the Rams' No. 2 overall draft pick, and select whichever quarterback doesn't go first overall to the Colts (at this point, it looks like that's Robert Griffin III).

As for the Dolphins, it's hard to look at their recent track record and project them to win a Manning sweepstakes as they look to upgrade from Matt Moore and Chad Henne. They Dolphins never seem to get their man. They didn't land Jim Harbaugh a year ago, could not pull off a trade for Kyle Orton in preseason and then missed out on Jeff Fisher. Though Miami boasts a defense with bite and some receivers, I'm not sure Manning lands there with a rookie head coach in Joe Philbin. Having free agent QB Matt Flynn follow Philbin over from Green Bay probably makes more sense.

The Jets? Don't get me started. With all the dysfunction in that locker room, Rex Ryan's bluster, an overwhelming media glare and the constant hysteria of two Mannings in New York. ... There's no way I see Peyton walking into that cauldron, no matter how the Jets might feel about Mark Sanchez. It's just not Peyton's scene.