Elway thought Manning preferred Redskins before signing with Broncos

Oh, what could have been for the Washington Redskins.

After missing the entire 2011 campaign following neck surgery, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts parted ways and the legendary quarterback became a free agent.

Manning signed with the Denver Broncos and went on to capture his second Super Bowl, but an oral history of the team's pursuit suggested he actually preferred to sign with Washington.

"I went over to (then-Redskins head coach) Mike Shanahan's house and visited with Mike and Kyle Shanahan, and we sat in their den and watched film," Manning told The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala and Lindsay Jones. "Kyle went over their offense. I was really impressed with Kyle."

Manning apparently chose Denver thanks in large part to the Redskins trading up prior to the 2012 NFL Draft to land lauded quarterback prospect Robert Griffin III. Broncos general manager John Elway believed the deal ultimately put his club in the driver's seat for Manning's services.

"I think Peyton was disappointed," Mike Shanahan said regarding the trade. "Kyle and I were kind of surprised that he still wanted to meet with us. I can remember talking with Elway one time not too long ago, a few years ago. He said, 'Mike, do you realize that Peyton, I think, was going to go to your place? I think he really wanted to go to your place more than our place.' I said, 'Really? I didn't know that.' And that came from John. I knew we were fairly close."

Manning's signing was among the savviest moves in recent NFL history, as he rebounded from surgery and helped set multiple offensive records during his Broncos tenure.