He may be one of the biggest free agents to ever hit the open market; sources say the Colts will release Peyton Manning today instead of giving him a 28 million dollar roster bonus. Manning was the first overall pick by the Colts in 1998 and played every season with the team. He has a record 4 MVPs, 11 Pro Bowls, and won Super Bowl 41. The big question is will he be 100% healthy this season. He didn’t play a single snap last year with a neck injury. So should the Jags go after Manning in free agency?

I think you have to at least look of the possibility of taking Manning. His numbers speak for itself but you can’t deny what he brings to a team off the field. The preparation he puts in each week is second to none and if nothing else he can really teach Blaine Gabbert how to be a consistent winner in the NFL. The problem will be the price and speed that Manning comes off the market with. Teams that we know will definitely be players in the Manning sweepstakes are Miami, Washington, Arizona, and Seattle. That will definitely start a bidding war that the Jags might not be able to keep up with. Also these teams are going to make a move quickly when free agency kicks off next week. All these teams need a QB and the Rams have been rumored to be offering the second overall pick in the draft to anyone who pays the right price. That pick would most likely be used to draft Robert Griffin III, those handful of teams that lose out on Manning will look to trade for that pick. Trading for the second pick is pretty much a crap shoot; you don’t want to offer too much but if you don’t give up enough you will lose out. Landing Manning in free agency would be easier than trying to make a trade deal, so these teams will look to move quickly and bidding high.

The Jags have other needs like getting a wide receiver, pass rusher, and secondary help and the money used on a guy that you really don’t know if he is healthy when you have those other needs may be foolish. On the other hand having an elite QB like Manning automatically makes your receivers and defense better and would make the jags the favorite to win the AFC South. When all is said and done I don’t think the Jags have the cash or the prestige to land a guy like Manning. The one thing they can offer that few teams could, a chance to play the team that threw you out twice a year. Revenge could be a big factor when choosing what team you play for.