The Seattle Seahawks have a very similar situation to the Kansas City Chiefs when analyzing the Peyton Manning scenario. As the Indianapolis Colts get closer to the date when they will likely set their quarterback icon free, Manning is going to look for the right scenario to play. Both teams, the Seahawks and Chiefs, have several things going for them.
Both teams offer smaller media markets where Manning will feel at home and be given a hero’s welcome (as opposed to competing with his brother with the Jets or living in Dan Snyder’s shadow in DC). Both teams have dynamic skill position players that give Manning the weapons he would want. Both teams play in subpar divisions that are there for the taking.
Dan Pompei says that the Seahawks are the favorites for those reasons and more. He writes:
Based on the buzz around the league, the Seahawks could be the early frontrunner for Peyton Manning, assuming he is released. Pete Carroll needs a quarterback and is believed to have a strong interest in at least exploring Manning. The Seahawks could offer Manning an attractive scenario. They have a young team with some fine skill players to put around him. They play in one of the league’s loudest stadiums.
Manning wouldn’t be subject to the same kind of scrutiny in Seattle that he would in a lot of other markets. The Seahawks also could have a better feel for Manning’s medical situation than some teams. One of their team physicians, Stan Herring, who also is one of the country’s preeminent specialists for spine injuries. Herring is a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.
The Chiefs should certainly enter the same equation by much of that measure, but then again the Dolphins also qualify in much the same way. However, new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin might be keen on bringing in Matt Flynn if the team has the chance given his familiarity with him and vice versa.