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5 similarities between first seasons in Denver for Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson

By Travis Wakeman

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks on their 43-8 win during Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks on their 43-8 win during Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos pass under pressure from the Philadelphia Eagles at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 29, 2013, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images) /

It has been 10 years since the Peyton Manning era began with the Denver Broncos. 

The 2022 season will mark the first of a new era in Denver as well as Russell Wilson will take over as the team’s new starting quarterback. Broncos fans have not been this excited since the Manning days as the team’s struggles since PFM’s retirement have been well chronicled.

Wilson joins the team in one of the biggest trades the league has ever seen and will now be the centerpiece of what the organization hopes is a return to glory for the proud franchise.

With that being said, there are actually quite a few similarities between the first season that Peyton Manning was in Denver and what will be Wilson’s first year under center.

Of course, the circumstances are also quite different. When Manning came to Denver, it was after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts after he had neck surgery that caused him to miss an entire season.

There were questions over what he could still do on the field, but the Broncos convinced him to come aboard as a free agent. It worked out pretty well.

Wilson is still in the prime of his career but he will be tasked with the same thing that Manning was – turning the Denver Broncos around.

Let’s look at some of the similarities between these two quarterbacks coming to Denver, starting with their time with their original teams.

Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson had similar Super Bowl success

Peyton Manning
Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning following the Colts 29-17 win in Super Bowl XLI. (Photo by Matt Kryger/Getty Images) /

Before coming to the Broncos, Manning played in two Super Bowls with the Colts. He helped guide Indy to a win in his first trip to the big game over the Chicago Bears. Just three years later, he was back in the Super Bowl but this time, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints got the best of him.

Wilson had a similar Super Bowl path with the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, in Super Bowl XLVIII, he helped the Seahawks to a dominating win over the Broncos. Manning was the Broncos’ quarterback in that 43-8 drubbing.

The following season, Wilson was playing in the Super Bowl again but this time, Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots made one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, intercepting Wilson in the end zone toward the end of the game to preserve a Pats win.

Before coming to Denver, Manning and Wilson each went one up, one down in the Super Bowl.

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