Peyton Manning is a wanted man these days. Between being sought after as a commercial pitch man or a potential “Monday Night Football” announcer, the five-time MVP will have some sort of notable post-playing career.
Now comes the latest rumor: Could he be the next New York Jets general manager?
After Jets CEO and chairman Christopher Johnson announced the firing of GM Mike Maccagnan on Wednesday, NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reported that league sources believe the Jets will key in on Manning.
With no front office experience, Manning would not be a traditional hire, but that seems to fit Johnson’s MO this hiring cycle.
“It’s more than a talent evaluation guy,” Johnson said on a conference call Wednesday. “I want a great strategic thinker. A great manager. A communicator. Someone who can collaborate well with the building. And I’m convinced we’re going to find that person.”
The connection between Manning and the Jets goes back well beyond the current ownership group, which took over in 2000. As Florio pointed out, there was a rumor that Manning would have left Tennessee a year early if the Jets promised to select him first overall in 1997. However, the potential marriage did not work out, and the Jets even traded out of the first overall pick. One year later, Manning went No. 1 to the Indianapolis Colts, and the rest is history. [Reply]
Interesting that he wanted to go to the Jets and they traded away the pick instead. That would have been interesting, having him in the same division as Brady. [Reply]
Originally Posted by jjchieffan:
The connection between Manning and the Jets goes back well beyond the current ownership group, which took over in 2000. As Florio pointed out, there was a rumor that Manning would have left Tennessee a year early if the Jets promised to select him first overall in 1997. However, the potential marriage did not work out, and the Jets even traded out of the first overall pick. One year later, Manning went No. 1 to the Indianapolis Colts, and the rest is history.
He would probably be pretty good. But I disagree with the notion that he has no experience. He ran the Donks for 5 years. Just because ElFraud held the job title and took the credit is irrelevant. It's clear now that he's gone that ElFraud hasn't got a clue about how to run a team. If Manning wasn't there, ElFraud would have already been fired. [Reply]