Tag: Emmanuel Sanders

The best player to ever wear No. 10 for the Broncos was …

Emmanuel Sanders ranks 10th on the Broncos’ all-time receiving list with 5,361 yards. The Super Bowl 50 champion scored 30 TDs with Denver.

The best player to ever wear No. 10 for the Denver Broncos was wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who played for the club from 2014-2019.

Sanders started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his four-year rookie contract expired, Sanders signed with the Broncos and joined star quarterback Peyton Manning. Over the next two seasons, Sanders totaled 155 receptions for 2,539 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

Sanders helped Denver win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season, leading the team with six receptions for 83 yards in a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Manning retired after that Super Bowl win and Sanders went on to play three and a half more seasons in Denver. He caught 404 passes for 5,361 yards and 28 touchdowns in 78 games with the Broncos. Sanders also rushed for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass while playing in Denver.

Sanders ranks 10th on the team’s all-time receiving list.

The Broncos traded Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2019 season. He later spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills before retiring in 2022 following a 12-year career. The 36-year-old Super Bowl champion now works as an analyst on NFL Network.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

10 best free agent signings in Broncos history

The Broncos have had some of the biggest free agent signings in NFL history. Do you agree with our list?

Throughout their storied history, the Denver Broncos have made several franchise-shaking signings in free agency. Here is a quick look back at the best free agency additions in franchise history.

Emmanuel Sanders hopes Russell Wilson carries strong 2022 finish into 2023

Emmanuel Sanders clearly still pays close attention to the Broncos, and he’s rooting for Russell Wilson in 2023.

After struggling for most of the 2022 season — a year that was hindered by injuries, poor offensive line performances and questionable coaching — Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson ended the season on a high note.

After former coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired and Jerry Rosburg took over as interim coach for the final two games, Wilson scored six touchdowns and led an offense that averaged 27.5 points per game, a huge improvement, albeit on a short sample size.

Former wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders believes part of the reason for the turnaround was Wilson making plays with his legs. The veteran quarterback rushed 12 times for 45 yards and two scores in the final two games of the season. Sanders is hoping to see more of the same in 2023.

Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton has predicted a big bounce-back year for Wilson next season. Sanders seems to believe it’s possible.

Wilson threw a career-low 16 touchdown passes in 15 games last season. If Denver’s offense is going to take a big step forward in 2023, the Broncos will need Wilson to show the most improvement.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=691122]

Emmanuel Sanders isn’t so sure that the Broncos need to trade for Sean Payton

Emmanuel Sanders played for Sean Payton on the Saints, but he isn’t so sure that the Broncos need a big trade to fix his hometown team:

Here’s an interesting take from a former New Orleans Saints player. Emmanuel Sanders retired from the NFL to take a turn to the media last year, but he remains committed to his hometown Denver Broncos team — the squad he won a Super Bowl ring with, in the city where he and his family live. So Sanders is paying rapt attention to the ongoing Sean Payton sweepstakes, in which his Broncos have been big players.

But he isn’t so sure Denver needs Sean Payton to fix their problems. At least, he sees a path forward that doesn’t require the kind of sacrifices it would take to bring Payton to town.

“Sean Payton is just a coach,” Sanders wrote from his official Twitter account on Saturday while chatting with Broncos fans. He continued, “Meaning when he gets too far on the field someone makes him move back. He can’t play the game. He can’t win the line of scrimmage. Coach is important but I think improving (offensive and defensive line) depth is just as important.”

Sanders conceded that paying Payton’s high salary demands shouldn’t be an issue for the new ownership group in Denver, specifying that his concern lies in the draft picks needed to acquire Payton in a trade with the Saints. After trading so many assets for Russell Wilson last year, in his view, the Broncos should use their remaining draft picks in 2023 to bolster the offensive line and give Wilson a fighting chance against the opposing pass rush.

He had another point that hasn’t been discussed often enough, too: that the Broncos trading the few picks they have left might dissuade Payton from taking the job in the first place, because it would mean he couldn’t draft his own players this year. Payton valued his personnel control and ability to shape the roster greatly in New Orleans. If his ability to do that is limited in Denver, there might be other opportunities with greater appeal to him.

It’s something to think about. Sanders is intimately familiar with what the Broncos need to get back to playing competitive football in 2023, as well as what Payton offers as a coach. He’s experienced both situations firsthand. If nothing else, it’s really interesting to get this insight from someone with his background here. We should find out soon how close he got to reaching the mark.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=121072]

Emmanuel Sanders’ NFL playoff picks have been perfect so far

Emmanuel Sanders went 6-0 on his picks in the first round of the NFL playoffs.

After announcing his retirement from the NFL last fall, former wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders joined NFL Network as a studio analyst.

It’s safe to say he’s an expert on the game.

Sanders was the only member of NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning program to correctly pick all six winners in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. Most of the network’s pundits were tripped up by the Dallas Cowboys beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and not all of them had the New York Giants beating the Minnesota Vikings.

As for Sanders, though, he’s a perfect 6-0 in his playoff picks so far.

Sanders, 35, played for the Denver Broncos from 2014-2019, totaling 404 receptions for 5,361 yards and 28 touchdowns in 78 games. A two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl 50 champion, Sanders also rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown and even threw a 28-yard touchdown pass as a Bronco.

A fan favorite in Denver, Sanders is off to a great start as an analyst.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Emmanuel Sanders interviews former Bills teammate Josh Allen (video)

Manny Sanders talks #Bills-#Dolphins with Josh:

Emmanuel Sanders was front and center… well, right next to, Josh Allen during the Bills’ latest postseason run. He spent the 2021 season with the team and QB.

That ride came to an emotional end, but that was also the final game Sanders played in. He hung ’em up and retired, but now is a broadcaster with NFL Network.

To help them prep for the Bills-Dolphins upcoming Wild-Card round matchup, Sanders and Allen sat down for a game preview chat. The two discussed their recent playoff run, plus went down memory lane for the franchise as a whole.

Check out the full interview below:

Emmanuel Sanders had an unbreakable bond with Demaryius Thomas

“I could call him at two in the morning, three in the morning. If I had anything, he was going to pick up and be there for me.”

When former wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders announced his retirement three weeks ago, he held a press conference at the UCHealth Training Center to retire as a Denver Bronco.

As part of the retirement announcement, the Broncos posted several photos of Sanders at the facility, including one of him and late teammate Demaryius Thomas from Super Bowl 50. Sanders was asked about the photo during his press conference.

“It means a lot,” Sanders said. “That guy has helped me out so much. Just great memories. One of my fondest memories is being on the practice field and just hearing his laugh. Peyton [Manning] took my game to another level, and Demaryius [Thomas] took my game to another level, too. He didn’t say much, but he would walk up to you real quiet and tell you little stuff that he would see. Then just the friendship — it was always there. I knew that I could call him at two in the morning, three in the morning. If I had anything, he was going to pick up and be there for me. That picture right there just goes to show that. I can’t talk about it enough.

“When we were here in 2014 — there are only three receivers in the history of the NFL, that’s ever gone over 3,000 yards together. That just goes to show what type of bond we had, what type of friendship we had, what type of relationship we had. Only three receivers in the entire history of NFL to go 3,000 yards — that’s a bond that is unbreakable. That’s two brothers coming together trying to do some special, and then the following year we were able to win the Super Bowl. The energy that me and him had was unmatched and it goes to show. The stats will tell you that.”

Thomas died last December at age 33 from seizure complications. Thomas was posthumously diagnosed with stage 2 of CTE in July.

Sanders honored Thomas during the playoffs last year, and Peyton Manning created two scholarships in Thomas’ honor. The late receiver will always be loved by his former teammates and by Broncos fans.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=669141]

Former Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders joins NFL Network

Emmanuel Sanders is starting a new career with NFL Network.

Recently retired wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who spent five years with the Denver Broncos while contributing to the 2015 Super Bowl championship team, is joining NFL Network as a studio analyst. 

Sanders, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, will begin his new career this Sunday on the NFL GameDay Morning show. Sanders will be joining Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin in the studio. 

NFL Network vice president and executive producer Charlie Yook appears to have known that Sanders would be a natural fit after doing a guest appearance a few years ago on the network. So naturally, Yook would be there to offer Sanders a position once he retired.

“We got to see a glimpse of what Emmanuel could bring several years ago when he was a guest analyst on NFL GameDay Morning on Championship Sunday,” Yook said in a press release. “We are excited to have him join our family and create memorable content in the linear and digital space.”

While Sanders won’t be on an NFL field anymore, we can still catch him on Sunday mornings on NFL Network at 9:00 AM ET.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=686386]

Emmanuel Sanders almost signed with Chiefs in 2014

“It didn’t happen and I ended up coming here, which was the best thing ever,” Emmanuel Sanders said of joining the Broncos instead of KC.

Before he signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Denver Broncos in 2014, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders nearly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sanders has told the story before, but he revisited it during his retirement press conference at Denver’s facility last week.

Sanders said he wanted to sign with the Broncos due to Peyton Manning and the other pieces the team had in place, but he hadn’t heard from then-general manager John Elway. So the receiver had a visit with the Chiefs, were he nearly signed.

“We were trying to work out the logistics because I wanted to sign for three years, and they wanted me to sign for four,” Sanders said. “I told them, ‘No, I’m only signing for three.’ Andy Reid leaves [because] he thinks I’m signing with the Chiefs. All of the sudden … I get a call in the facility that I can go to Denver.”

Sanders then told the Broncos he would sign with them, leaving him in an awkward position at Kansas City’s facility.

“I’m there in their facility and I remember telling them, ‘I just want to go back to my hotel and figure out the situation. I don’t know what I want to do. I might sign, but I don’t know,'” Sanders said. “I was just trying to get out of there so I could go celebrate because I’m about to go play with Peyton freaking Manning — The Sheriff.”

Knowing if he left he might never return, the Chiefs tried to get Sanders to stay and sign, but his mind was made up.

“They wouldn’t let me out of the facility, and I remember trying to leave,” Sanders said. “I remember Andy Reid. I see this car just flying down, and he hopped out like, ‘What is going on?’ I don’t care to go into too many crazy details, but that’s just how close it was because I was literally sitting in that room like, ‘I’m about to sign.’ I remember calling all of my family and I told them, ‘I’m about to sign with the Chiefs.’ It didn’t happen and I ended up coming here, which was the best thing ever.”

Sanders went on to become a key member of Denver’s offense and he helped the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Sanders retired last week after a 12-year career in the NFL.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=685571]

Here’s why Emmanuel Sanders cried in the bathroom after 2nd preseason game with Broncos

“I remember sitting there crying in the stall and thanking God because I knew that this was a place that he sent me,” Emmanuel Sanders said.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, former wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Denver Broncos in 2014.

After joining the team, Sanders had a quiet debut with no catches in Denver’s first preseason game. He then sat out their second preseason game while recovering from a quad injury.

In the Broncos’ third preseason game — Sanders’ second game played — he caught five passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans. And that was just in the first half (starters were rested after that).

“I remember going in the locker room [at halftime] and I was racing to the bathroom,” Sanders recalled during his retirement press conference Wednesday. “People were like, ‘What the heck is wrong with this dude?’ I remember sitting there crying in the stall and thanking God because I knew that this was a place that he sent me. I knew that I was going to do something special.

“I’ve never told that story, but that’s the God honest truth. I knew that this was where I was supposed to be, and I knew that the city of Denver was where I supposed to be. The people embraced me, and I love them. I know they love me. The love is mutual.”

Sanders certainly was embraced as he quickly became a fan favorite. The receiver caught 404 passes for 5,361 yards and 28 touchdowns in six and a half seasons with the Broncos. Sanders also rushed for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass during his time in Denver.

The speedy receiver was a key member of the offense during the Peyton Manning era, and he helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Sanders had a great tenure in Denver, and he knew he landed in the perfect place after that preseason game against the Texans.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=685532]