"Peyton Manning is the kind of guy that would be great in public office," Sen. Bob Corker said. | Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Corker: ‘Possible’ that Peyton Manning runs for Senate

It's "possible" but not necessarily likely that former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will run for Tennessee's open U.S. Senate seat, retiring Sen. Bob Corker said Wednesday.

The outgoing GOP senator said he spoke with Manning on Wednesday morning, one day after Corker said he won't run for a third term. Corker said Manning is enjoying private life and time with his family but would be a formidable force if he were to run for the seat.


"If he were to run nobody in their right mind would consider running against him," Corker said, though he warned: "I would not be putting in the headlines today that he's going to be running for the Senate."

Manning said on Nashville radio later on Wednesday that his interest in politics wouldn't translate to elected office and he is giving it "zero consideration."

"I certainly have an interest in politics and in our country. I just have zero interest in being a politician," Manning said.

Corker has golfed with Manning and President Donald Trump this year, dined with the retired quarterback several times and speaks to him regularly.

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"Peyton Manning is the kind of guy that would be great in public office. ... I think it's possible. Is it likely? I don't think so," Corker said. "If he got a huge rush of public inquiries it would probably push him away."

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