Peyton Manning and Bill Polian Rumored to be Potentially Teaming Up with Titans
According to CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Tennessee Titans could be eyeing a reunion in regards to two former Indianapolis Colts greats in legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian:
"“There continues to be persistent chatter in NFL personnel circles that Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning could be joining his former general manager, Bill Polian, in the front office of the Tennessee Titans in 2016,” writes La Canfora. “The Titans have an opening at team president, with the contract of interim president Steve Underwood expiring, and ownership’s interest in having Manning on board is well known around the league, though Manning’s future plans remain unclear.”"
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (L) talks with network analysts Bill Polian (R) on the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Broncos at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Even having both moved on from their Colts glory days respectively, Manning and Polian still reportedly remain close. It’s not the first time that Manning has been linked to becoming a future NFL executive either, while Polian was recently rumored to be a serious candidate for the Buffalo Bills general manager opening not too long ago:
"“He (Manning) remains close with Polian, and some within the Titans organization believe a combination as Manning as a football czar (with the option to own a piece of the team even if it is sold in the next year as many around the league expect), with Bill Polian as team president, his son, Chris, as general manager and Jacksonville assistant Doug Marrone or Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase as coach is very probable for 2016,” adds La Canfora."
Having lost a pivotal divisional game to the Houston Texans on Sunday, the Colts have seemingly lost their supremacy over the rest of the AFC South. The division is once again down this season, but that doesn’t mean it necessarily will be going forward.
With NFL superstars J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, the Houston Texans are really a solid starting quarterback away from becoming a serious playoff team, while the Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be an up-and-coming team with talented quarterback Blake Bortles and emerging star wideout Allen Robinson.
However, don’t lose sight of the Tennessee Titans either. The franchise already has one of the top young quarterbacks in football with rookie Marcus Mariota. If the Titans were to surround Mariota with say a proven Hall of Fame general manager like Polian, as well as a quarterback savvy NFL executive such as Manning, and there appears to be the makings of a potentially great nucleus.
If the Colts weren’t already placed on notice, they should be. Winning the AFC South is no longer the walk in the park that is used to be. Sunday’s loss was already testament to that, let alone if the Mariota led Tennessee Titans were able to team up with a Manning and Polian tandem.