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Peyton Manning has been the Colts face and franchise for well over a decade. More than that, he's been a defining NFL icon signifying the pass-happy era of the NFL. Given that, it's nearly impossible to picture the Colts moving on, but that's exactly what could happen after this year if the Colts secure the No. 1 choice in the 2012 NFL Draft as expected. Andrew Luck is widely believed to be the first choice if he declares and the Colts would have a hard time passing that up.
That said, the addition of Luck could make Manning a dispensable commodity -- a valuable one that could bring numerous draft choices for a team that needs to retool in a dramatic way. Jason Smith of NFL.com has several teams up as possibilities in a recent column, including the Kansas City Chiefs. He writes:
"The Midwest. America's heartland. A lifestyle he's grown accustomed to. Some pretty nice weapons to throw to in Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston, and potentially a healthy Jamaal Charles. A solid front office. Hey, Joe Montana did it, and if Joe can do it, anyone can. Manning would be a really nice fit in K.C. -- he'd be comfortable there. The Chiefs are the first of the potential suitors on this list that I really think could make a run for Manning. The AFC West is up for grabs every year, and he immediately makes them a contender."
Given Matt Cassel's injury and the unpredictability at the most important position on the roster, it is definitely easy to picture the Chiefs making a major move at quarterback. But to grab Manning would take a major series of events -- from the Colts even being willing to do so to the Chiefs feeling like he's healthy enough to having the assets to acquire him.