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Denver Broncos: Top 5 free agents that impacted the franchise

By Tylor Walden

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos storms out of the tunnel and smoke before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos storms out of the tunnel and smoke before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Peyton Manning
SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos looks at the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Peyton Manning

Did you expect it to be anyone else? Perhaps one of the best quarterbacks to play in this generation of players, Peyton Manning spent his first 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Every time the Broncos played him in the postseason, it was a nightmare. But I know I did not have any bad feelings towards him.

After his neck surgeries, the Colts decided to release him. He became probably the most sought after free agent in years. He ultimately chose to play for the Denver Broncos. They were coming off an 8-8 season that saw them win a playoff game in pure Tim Tebow magic. But it was apparent the team needed a strong quarterback.

My friends will always remember me as the one who was upset not because of acquiring Manning but that it led to Tebow’s release. But as I will mention, it did lead to something amazing.

In his four years as a Bronco, Manning led the team to a number one seed in the AFC playoffs in three of the four years he was there. He also helped the Broncos win four AFC West titles, two AFC Championship titles, and one Super Bowl win.

Next. Top Shelf Free Agent Targets for Broncos in 2020. dark

Manning got to go out on top as a champion. It truly helped bring Broncos Country the title that they had been looking to acquire again for nearly two decades. All of his time with the Denver Broncos involved breaking records and bringing the Broncos back to promise for a while. That is why Peyton Manning will always be the Broncos free agent that had the most impact on the franchise.

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