But that hasn't happened.

"I fully expect this team to be interested, at least kick the tires on the situation," Arizona Republic Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers told Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo of the Cardinals and Manning.

The fact that the Cardinals have not come out and said it won't happen could just be standard operating procedure, as Somers noted the Cardinals don't like talking about moves that haven't happened.

Still, with Manning being linked to Arizona and the Cards possibly being a QB away from being a playoff team again, it would make plenty of sense if they were interested in the future Hall of Famer.

"I don't think there's any doubt that they're sitting back, looking at the timing of the whole Manning situation and are curious to see how it's going to play out," Somers said.

Given that Manning will have his choice of teams once released by the Colts, it stands to reason he may not choose Arizona. If that's the case, the team will likely turn to Kolb in hopes he will be the player they thought he would be.

Asked if the rumored pursuit of Manning has affected Kolb's demeanor, Somers said he hasn't seen anything indicating that is the case.

"He's not sweating it," Somers said of Kolb's reaction to the rumors. "It's kind of the attitude Kevin had throughout this whole year, in dealing with the trade and the contract and the pressure being on him."

Somers said some fans may see Kolb as a player who lacks passion, that his attitude of "what will be, will be" is a sign he doesn't really care.

"I don't think that's the case at all," Somers said. "I really think, as much as any player can, I think he tries to take that attitude that this is a business and teams are going to do whatever they're going to do."

That means if his time in Arizona ends after one season, Kolb will understand and, at 28-years-old, find somewhere else to work.

Assuming Manning doesn't come to Arizona, though, the Cards will have to turn the reins over to someone who they were possibly looking to replace. That could mean soothing some hurt feelings.

"I think he would be hurt in the sense that maybe there's not the commitment to him that he thought there was, but I think he's tougher than that, I don't think he will go into a shell," Somers said. "I think in that case, the Cardinals -- or any other team in that situation -- could go to their number one quarterback and say 'look, we had a chance to get a premier quarterback, maybe the best in the league, a Hall of Famer, and we rolled the dice.'"

But no one is at that point, not yet. For now all we have are rumors of the Cardinals being interested in a QB who technically isn't even available, one who if he does reach the open market comes with as many question marks as any player in recent history.