Sports360AZBy all indications the Cardinals are working over the most-wanted free agent today, as sources indicated Peyton Manning landed in the Phoenix-area late Saturday night.
Manning flew in from Denver, where he met with the Denver Broncos on Friday in what was a lengthy visit at the team facility with John Elway, John Fox and other team representatives.
Manning arrived at the Cardinals facility in Tempe around 9 a.m. on Sunday and left shortly after 3:30 p.m. after meeting with coaches and ownership.
He did not meet with the media, so no word on how the talks went. No word from the Cardinals organization either.
The Denver Post was the first to report, “One NFL source said Manning will also visit the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins after visiting with the Broncos. A source said Manning would like to make a decision by Tuesday, the first day of free agency.”
Multiple national outlets are reporting Manning will travel back to Miami to possibly meet with the Dolphins after his visit with the Cardinals.
Manning was released from the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday after spending 14 years with the team who made him the number one draft pick in 1998.
Since Manning and the Colts mutually parted ways Wednesday, he has been linked to teams from coast-to-coast, including the Cardinals who shuffled quarterbacks last year between frequently-injured Kevin Kolb and second-year back-up John Skelton.
The Cardinals are motivated to get a deal done quickly, as they owe Kolb a $7 million roster bonus later this week.
Cardinals wide receiver told Brad Cesmat on Saturday afternoon that he has not talked to Manning and that he is hearing all the reports like everyone else.
“As of now it is just talk,” he said. “I am curious to see what happens.”
Former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner told Brad Cesmat Thursday on ‘Big Guy on Sports’ that Manning has plenty of things running through his head as he continues to weigh his options.
“It’s going to be a whirl-wind,” Warner told Brad Cesmat Thursday on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “I’m sure he’s done his homework on where he wants to go. It will be interesting to see how quickly he makes a decision and who all is involved and what it takes to get [him] to sign with their team.”
Warner said the Cardinals are certainly in the conversation, but ultimately sees Manning staying in the AFC.
“I think the two front-runners will be Miami, who’s made it known they’ll do whatever they can to get him and have some nice pieces in place,” Warner said. “The second-best fit would be the New York Jets. New York City would be tremendous for he and his brother [Giants quarterback, Eli]. The AFC fits better for who he is as a quarterback.”
NFL agent Eric Metz, who represents Cardinals coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, believes it’s going to come down to the Dolphins and Cardinals.
When the smoke has cleared and the dust settled, Metz is confident Manning will land in Arizona’s nest.
“I think Arizona wins out,” Metz explained to Cesmat on Wednesday. “He’s going to win quicker in Arizona and that whole coaching staff knows how to do it and they’ve been [to the Super Bowl] before. I think they have a tremendous shot and I’d be surprised if they didn’t [sign him].”
The organization is staying mum on their talks with the future Hall of Famer, as there has been no indication if they will talk contract or if Manning will workout.
For the latest news follow @pros2preps on Twitter and check back for updates as the Manning Madness continues.
