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Broncos: 5 NFL legends that played just one season in Denver

By Travis Wakeman

17 Oct 1999: Ty Law #24 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 31-30.
17 Oct 1999: Ty Law #24 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 31-30. /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Simeon Rice sets n defense against the Carolina Panthers November 6, 2005, in Tampa. The Panthers defeated the Bucs 34 – 14. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Simeon Rice sets n defense against the Carolina Panthers November 6, 2005, in Tampa. The Panthers defeated the Bucs 34 – 14. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL, winning three Lombardi trophies and putting several players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, particularly of late.

Fans of the team have seen John Elway and Peyton Manning play quarterback. They have seen Terrell Davis rush for 2,000 yards in a season and they have seen Von Miller become an absolute terror for opposing quarterbacks.

But quietly, a small handful of some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of cleats have finished their careers in Denver, though they all enjoyed their greatest successes elsewhere.

Of course, legendary players such as Manning and John Lynch finished up their Hall-of-Fame careers in the Mile High City, but they also played more than one season with the team. Each player on this list played just one (and in most cases final) season with the Broncos.

Do you have an idea of who might be on here? Some of these you may remember, some may be a surprise.

Simeon Rice

Simeon Rice, Denver Broncos
Simeon Rice with the Denver Broncos (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Simeon Rice, Defensive end

Simeon Rice was one of the most dominant pass-rushers of his era after being chosen in the first round of the 1996 draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year that season and made an impact in Arizona.

But it was his next stop, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he really made his presence felt.

Rice was part of one of the greatest defenses the league has ever seen, helping players such as Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and Lynch win Super Bowl XXXVII. From 2001-05, he had an amazing 67.5 sacks.

Rice made three Pro Bowls and his 122 career sacks are still good for 20th on the all-time list.

When he came to Denver in 2007, the team was hoping it was getting a player that could get double-digit sacks. But that didn’t happen, not even close.

Rice ended up playing in just six games for the Broncos and didn’t record a single sack before being released halfway through the season. The Indianapolis Colts decided to give him a chance after that and received similar results.

Rice was out of the NFL following that stint before finishing his career with the New York Sentinels of the United Football League.

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