PHOENIX — As NFL owners huddled this week to debate new rules, possible franchise moves and lavish stadiums, discussion inevitably turned to the most popular subject in the game — quarterbacks.

In a curious twist of fate, two quarterbacks at the center of conversations — and eventually a television survey — were Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers.

Rivers has been an interesting topic on talk radio recently because his contract expires after next season and that makes for great gab in the what-if world of call-in radio.

With former Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt in need of a quarterback to help his head coaching job at Tennessee, Rivers’ name has been discussed. Well, by fans anyway.

But when it was reported Monday that Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is due to work out for the Chargers, it didn’t take long for the media to connect the dots.

And just as quickly, San Diego general manager Tom Telesco did his best to disconnect those dots.

“He’s our guy,” Telesco said of Rivers. “Like I said before, we’d like to extend him. And when he’s ready, we’ll get moving on it.”

Rivers, who has seven children, said earlier this month he is not planning to sign a new deal with the Chargers until the team’s future is sorted out, referring to a possible move to Los Angeles.

So, because the Titans, and Whisenhunt, have that No. 2 overall pick in next month’s draft, the possibilities will continue to spark discussion.

Rivers was the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft, chosen by the Giants to be traded for Eli Manning in a pre-discussed swap. Rivers, like Ben Roethlisberger and Manning, could command a new deal worth $20 million per season. Roethlisberger, selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same draft, signed a five-year, $99 million deal last week.

With that backdrop, NFL Network decided to take a fan poll, asking which of those two quarterbacks would be more in demand if they were both free agents.

On one hand there is Manning, who has two Super Bowl rings and a bit of a roller-coaster ride with the Giants. Rivers counters only with his signature bolo tie and a reputation as a feisty, take-charge quarterback with a lot of great statistics, but no Super Bowl ring.

When the votes were tallied, fans preferred Rivers, 52 percent to 48 percent. Expect stock on bolo ties to trend upward.

Meanwhile, Cleveland’s controversial quarterback, Johnny Manziel, is expected to be back with the team next month following the completion of months of treatment.

General manager Ray Farmer said Monday in Phoenix that the team will not have exclusive authority in determining when the second-year quarterback rejoins the team. Instead, that will be decided by counselors overseeing Manziel’s rehab treatment.

“I don’t think it’s in doubt,” Farmer said in response to questions about Manziel attending the Browns’ April 20 workout. “Again, I’m not the point person in that. So I would defer to those kind of controlling his care and let them decide what that looks likes.”

Manziel began rehab in late January and has been visited by coach Mike Pettine among others.

“Football, it’s a back seat,” Pettine said Tuesday. “For his football life to get it where it needs to be, he needs to get the personal life where it needs to be.”

He will come back to a new challenger for Cleveland’s quarterback job — veteran Josh McCown signed with the Browns after one season in Tampa Bay, and 2014 starter Brian Hoyer left via free agency to join the Houston Texans — and again be the focus of questions and doubts about his ability to function in the NFL, on and off the field.

“There’s no firm timeline. But I’m optimistic that he’ll be in town. April 20 is our first day,” Pettine said.

Farmer said the Browns are taking his commitment to his health as a positive sign for his future. A first-round pick in 2014, Manziel scored on his opening drive in an NFL game — in relief of Hoyer — but otherwise looked lost on the field last season.

If he’s back and physically and emotionally committed, Manziel will be learning a new offense following coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s voluntary departure for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Browns also brought in veteran Thad Lewis and return Connor Shaw.

Going from the ridiculous to the sublime, Denver Broncos new head coach Gary Kubiak doesn’t need to consider who his quarterback will be. Instead, the coach needs to adapt his playbook to accommodate the great Peyton Manning.

Kubiak discussed his situation during a Tuesday morning breakfast/press conference with the media.

“One of the things about having a veteran, especially like Peyton, he’s going to let you know: ‘this is what I do best and this is what I feel comfortable with,'” said Kubiak, who was hired in February to replace John Fox. “That’s what you need to go do as a coach.

“What we’ve done is study what Peyton has done for many, many years and taken some things that I feel good about and kind of crossed two systems together. The bottom line is we’re going to do what he does best — what our players do best. I’ve got a pretty good vision of what I want it to look like and now we’ve got to get to work on it.”

The former Broncos backup quarterback and offensive coordinator roomed with John Elway for 10 years and later coached him in Denver. He also coached Steve Young.

So digging in with Manning, who turned 39 on Tuesday, is nothing new for Kubiak.

Kubiak called plays as offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens last season and before that as head coach of the Houston Texans. He also had the authority while with the Broncos.

The shared responsibility with Manning will be a new first-hand experience for Kubiak, but based on a number of losses as a part of teams trying to stop this offense, Kubiak is glad to defer.

“Obviously I love to run the ball and I love the play (-action),” pass,” Kubiak said. “I love to do those things, so there is going to be a commitment there but there is 17 years of investment in what he’s done better than anybody and we’re not going to run away from that.”

Manning returned after contemplating retirement. His season ended on a down note but Kubiak said there are no alterations planned in preparation or conditioning to accommodate a quarterback advancing in age. True to form, Manning is actually leaning the other way, according to his new coach.

However, at least some of the playbook is based on Manning’s health.

“He’s doing great actually,” Kubiak said. “He’s got some workouts planned with some of his buddies. He’s been working hard. He’s back in Louisiana a little bit and bouncing around a few places, which it sounds like he does all offseason. Every time you talk to him it’s about getting his workout in. ‘Just got through working out, coach, just got through doing this,’ and so I know he’s getting ready to go. We’ll see him here on the 13th of April.”

–Some content was contributed by staff at The Sports Xchange.