NFL Rumors: Jets Grooming Retired Super Bowl Champ For GM Position

The New York Jets are on the prowl for a new general manager and the name of Peyton Manning has come out of the mix. The retired NFL player does have his hands full trying to fulfill commercial and TV commentating gigs although there is a chance he could be primed for something bigger with the New York Jets.

After firing their previous general manager Mike Maccagnan, Pro Football Talk alleges that league sources are now with the impression that the Jets will be talking to the five-time MVP at some time to consider the general manager position. The only thing worth noting right now is that Manning has no front office experience and that most GMs would traditionally work their way up to the front office.

However, Manning holds something unique that could make him an exception to that rule. He is a strategic thinker and that is something that Jets CEO and chairman Christopher Johnson may be looking for, Yahoo Sports reported.

“I want a great strategic thinker. A great manager. A communicator. Someone who can collaborate well with the building. And I’m convinced we’re going to find that person,” said Johnson.

Should it happen, it would not be the first time that Manning would be linked to the Jets. There were rumors back in 1997 that New York would have selected him first overall in 1997 although there were changes made that year. That included the Jets trading away the rights to the first overall pick. Manning would make himself available a year later and would be selected by the Indianapolis Colts.

For the Jets, it would be a high-risk move to try Manning who has no general manager experience. Then again, the same holds true for the two-time Super Bowl champion who would be giving up what he has now. If he looks back a bit on his last NFL stints, the 43-year-old former quarterback may want to consider the plight of two people – John Elway and John Lynch.

Elway joined the Broncos in 2011 with no GM experience but was able to help the team win the Super Bowl title. On the other hand, Lynch remains the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers although the ride has been far from smooth. The 49ers have won only 10 games in the first two seasons and the rebuilding team has to gain some breakthrough.

These are scenarios that Manning will be facing. Assuming that he is offered the position, he will need to study carefully what lies ahead and probably checking out the fortunes of Elway and Lynch are a good idea.