Peyton Manning and Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/The Arizona Republic)
ARIZONA REPUBLIC
In five years in Arizona, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't played chauffeur to many free agents, but then the team never had a visit from someone who has won four MVP awards and has been chosen to 11 Pro Bowls.
Quarterback Peyton Manning spent six-and-a-half hours at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on Sunday, arriving and departing in the passenger seat of Whisenhunt's SUV.
There was no word on how the meeting went with the Cardinals, but it lasted roughly the same amount of time as the one Manning had with the Denver Broncos on Friday.
A source told The Arizona Republic that Manning's meeting with the Cardinals was "all about football" and went well. Manning, the source said, was very engaged.
It's unknown if Manning is considering other teams. Seattle has expressed interest, but Manning's return to Miami from Arizona seems to suggest the Seahawks are not involved.
Titans owner Bud Adams has expressed interest in Manning, who played at the University of Tennessee. So far, Manning has not expressed a desire to play for the Titans, who have a veteran quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, and a young one, Jake Locker.
Manning reportedly would like to pick his new team by Tuesday, the start of the NFL's free-agency period, so the process could accelerate quickly in the next two days.
It's unclear how much money Manning is seeking. Teams must be in compliance with the NFL's salary cap of $120.6 million by Tuesday.
The Cardinals likely want the process to proceed quickly. They are motivated not only by the start of free agency Tuesday, but by a bonus of $7million they are due to pay quarterback Kevin Kolb if he's on the roster March 17.