Tag: Broncos Throwback

Broncos throwback: Denver lands Peyton Manning in free agency

Eight years ago, Peyton Manning signed with the Broncos during NFL free agency.

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After multiple neck surgeries, Peyton Manning was let go by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 and became one of the highest-profile free agents in NFL history. After meeting with several teams, Manning decided to sign a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

It seems safe to say that he made the right decision.

The Broncos won the AFC West in all four seasons Manning played in Denver, posting a 50-14 win-loss record during that time. Manning helped the Broncos reach two Super Bowls, winning one of them.

Manning retired following the 2015 season as the only starting QB to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. Before landing in Denver, he previously won a championship with Indianapolis.

Manning, 43, is now being courted by ESPN. The network is willing to pay Manning up to $20 million per year to serve as a commentator for “Monday Night Football.” He made $19 million in his final season with the Broncos.

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Broncos throwback: Watch Drew Lock’s 2019 combine performance

Here’s how Broncos quarterback Drew Lock performed at the 2019 NFL combine.

Before he was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft, quarterback Drew Lock was a Missouri product trying to make a good impression at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

(If the video won’t play on this website, click here to watch it on YouTube.)

Lock (6-4, 228 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds and had a vertical jump of 31 inches. He had a broad jump of 112 inches and ran a 20-yard shuttle in 4.12 seconds.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein dubbed Lock a first-round prospect and compared him to Matthew Stafford, who was picked first overall in the 2009 draft.

“He has as much pure talent as any quarterback from the 2018 draft, but he won’t reach that lofty potential unless he improves his accuracy and learns to play with better in-game presence,” Zierlein wrote last spring.

Lock went 4-1 as a starter last season, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,020 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions. Denver’s front office plans to build around the young quarterback this offseason.

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Broncos throwback: Noah Fant stood out at 2019 NFL combine

Broncos tight end Noah Fant ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the 2019 NFL combine.

Before he was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, Iowa tight end Noah Fant had an excellent performance at the combine.

Fant (6-4, 249 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times. He ran a 20-yard shuttle in 4.22 seconds and had a vertical jump of 39.5 inches.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Fant to Eric Ebron, who was a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Fant was selected by Denver with the 20th overall pick in the first round last year.

Fant caught 40 passes as a rookie for 562 yards and scored three touchdowns. He emerged as the Broncos’ top tight end and earned All-Rookie Team honors from the Pro Football Writers Association.

Fant is an excellent tight end but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver bring in at least one more tight end this offseason. Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt have been largely disappointing over the last few seasons and Andrew Beck has played mostly as a fullback.

The Broncos need to add more depth at tight end this spring.

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Broncos throwback: Peyton Manning signs with Denver, football world reacts

Here’s how the NFL world reacted when Peyton Manning signed with the Broncos in 2012.

Broncos general manager John Elway pulled off the best signing of his career in 2012, landing superstar quarterback Peyton Manning on a five-year, $96 million contract.

With the anniversary of that signing one month away, the NFL’s “Throwback” channel posted a video compilation of reactions to Manning landing in Denver. The video is blocked from being viewed here but can be seen on YouTube.

After signing with the Broncos, Manning went on to help the team win the AFC West in four straight seasons, reaching two Super Bowls along the way. Following the 2015 season, Denver defeated the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

With that victory, Manning became the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. He retired after that Super Bowl win with 14 Pro Bowl nods and five NFL MVP awards on his resume. Manning will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

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