NY Jets to Consider Hiring Peyton Manning As General Manager?

Less than a week after firing general manager Mike Maccagnan after allowing him to run their draft and sign a number of big-ticket free agents including Le’Veon Bell, the New York Jets are looking at a surprising name to fill their vacant GM role: Peyton Manning.

According to ProFootballTalk, New York CEO Christopher Johnson wants a “great strategic thinker” to run the football operation in tandem with head coach Adam Gase. That strategic thinker could be the 43-year-old former quarterback.

“Rumors are flying within league circles that the Jets may make a run at the future Hall of Fame play caller who has periodically been linked to NFL management possibilities,” writes Mike Florio of PFT. “And Gase, who worked with Manning in Denver, possibly would be one of the few guys who could draw Manning back into football.”

Manning retired from football in 2015 after winning the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

For what it’s worth, not everyone is buying the idea of Manning joining the Jets.

So far, #Jets GM search is very quiet. As of today, several teams with potential candidates haven't been contacted for interview permission. That includes #Eagles & presumed favorite Joe Douglas. As for Peyton Manning, there's strong skepticism that he would consider this GM job.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) May 18, 2019

Manning has had other opportunities to get back into football working as a television analyst, but has thus far turned them down.

Executives believe Manning, who has been offered as much as $10 million annually to get in the broadcast booth, could be the next Tony Romo.

“Peyton Manning is Tony Romo with a Super Bowl ring,” a source told The Sporting News last year about Manning’s prospects. “This is a battle for the Midwest. He’s super-popular in the Midwest. He’s got this ‘Aw Shucks,’ thing down pat. The Mannings are the first family of football.”

Editor’s Note: RealClearLife, a news and lifestyle publisher, is now a part of InsideHook. Together, we’ll be covering current events, pop culture, sports, travel, health and the world.