What's in store for Peyton Manning?

It's an odd thought: the only Manning assured of a starting job in the NFL next year is Eli.

Now that scenario will almost certainly change in the coming days or weeks as teams line up for Peyton Manning's services. But for now, he's officially on his own. Cut free from the Colts on Wednesday after missing all of 2011, Manning, who turns 36 later this month, must now look to extend his superb legacy with a new team.

While we can't account for how four neck surgeries in two year has impacted Manning (aside from throwing some passes to Joseph Addai in December, there's not a lot to go on), we can look at other quarterbacks of a similar age and see how they performed.

- Since the 1920 season, there have been 216 instances where a quarterback age 36 or older has started at least one game during a season. Those quarterbacks started 16 games just 21 times, the last being Brett Favre in 2009. They started at least 14 games 43 times.

- Manning has a 64.9 career completion percentage. There have only been 10 seasons where a player 36 or older posted at least that number.

- Manning has thrown at least 26 touchdowns every year of his career. There are only 14 instances of a player 36 or older doing so.

- Manning averages 263.6 yards per game. There are only five instances of a player 36 or older doing so.

- The fewest yards Manning has ever thrown for in a season in 3,739. There are only 12 instances of a player 36 or older doing at least that.

- Manning averages a 94.9 quarterback rating. There are only 14 instances of a player 36 or older doing so.

But let's put some of these numbers together. Let's say Manning was looking to pass for at least 3,000 yards and throw at least 20 touchdowns -- numbers that would both represent career lows for Manning. There have only been 26 instances in football history that a player 36 or older has done it. Favre accomplished the feat four times, Warren Moon and Kurt Warner did it three times each and John Elway, Rich Gannon, Roger Staubach and Y.A. Tittle each did it twice.

Twelve of those players -- less than half -- posted a QB rating higher than 90. Fran Tarkenton had the lowest passer rating with a 68.9 for Minnesota in 1978. The highest rating was Favre's 107.2, also for Minnesota, during the 2009 season.

Then again, none of those players were coming off multiple neck surgeries.

"The Numbers Game" is a Newsday app-only exclusive.