Would Peyton Manning want Titans' front-office job?

It’s no secret that Bud Adams had a loose grip on the goings-on with his football franchise during his later years, but he was right on target where one thing was concerned:

He desperately wanted Peyton Manning to be a Titan.

When Manning was a free agent in 2012, Bud was so determined to see him in a Titans uniform that he even floated the possibility of a future front-office position as part of his offer.

Just wondering: Do Bud’s heirs share the franchise founder’s affection for Manning?

They should.

As Manning’s playing career hits the stretch run, it would be in the Titans’ best interest to try to bring him into the organization once he hangs up his chinstrap. For a franchise lacking name recognition and in serious need of connecting to the community, Manning would be a huge selling point.

The Titans should have an opening. Steve Underwood is serving as interim CEO/president and expects to step aside next spring or so. While that position likely will go to someone with a background in NFL management, there would be a spot for a person with Manning’s pedigree somewhere in the organization.

I mention this because more and more Manning seems to be gravitating back to the state that launched his college football career. He has spent considerable time in Tennessee during the NFL offseason.

On Thursday, it was announced that Manning had made an initial contribution to start the Chattanooga Heroes Fund in honor of those who were killed in the shooting last week. The fund will provide financial support for the victims’ families and others directly affected by the shootings.



Manning hasn’t forgotten his roots. He’s no stranger to the UT football complex. He watched most of the Vols’ spring game from the sideline at Neyland Stadium. He and wife Ashley recently made a $3 million commitment that will benefit the UT program and the Peyton Manning Scholarship Fund.

Beyond that, he continues to pay homage to those who touched his life and career when he was playing for the Vols. He was the force behind getting gate No. 16 (his old number) at Neyland Stadium named for Gus Manning, who has been affiliated with UT sports for 64 years, dating back to the days of Bob Neyland.

Manning also is involved in getting the new cafeteria that will serve as a training table for Vols athletes named for Carmen and Deborah Tegano. Carmen Tegano was in charge of academic support for UT athletes when Manning was a student.

If Manning ultimately wants to make Tennessee his home, what better base of operations than Titans Central?

There are a couple of caveats here. For one, Manning might play another two or three NFL seasons if his body holds up. For another, he has not made his plans clear.

But Manning has hinted he would like to remain involved in the NFL on some level once his playing career is over. He’s never voiced any real interest in coaching, so a management position makes sense.

I’m sure he’s doing his homework. In addition to quarterbacking the Broncos, I figure Manning is taking extensive notes on how John Elway handles things in his role as general manager and executive vice president of football operations in Denver.

When Manning chose to sign with the Broncos instead of the Titans or another team three years ago, he mentioned Elway’s involvement with the organization as a key factor. Manning liked the idea of being affiliated with a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Note, please, that projecting Manning into a front-office role is far, far different from a half-baked story that surfaced a few months back when somebody suggested Manning might be in line to one day purchase the Titans from the Adams family.

Despite his lucrative contract and all those endorsements, Manning is not even close to the financial strata for ownership of an NFL team. If the Titans went on the market tomorrow, the asking price might approach $2 billion.

That’s a lot of Papa John’s.

But a front-office position is another matter. If so, why not the Titans?

David Climer’s columns appear on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 and on Twitter @DavidClimer.

