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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 Broncos
ENGLEWOOD, CO – MARCH 16: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos poses with his jersey alongside (L) General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett following an introductory press conference at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022, in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Expectations will be sky high

The Broncos didn’t sign Manning to a 5-year, $96 million to just make the playoffs. That was John Elway’s way of saying the Broncos are back and they are going to contend as fans have always seen them contend.

And that team did.

Just like now, the team didn’t trade away two first-round picks, two second-round picks, Lock, Noah Fant and Shelby Harris just to end their six-year playoff drought. This is a “Super Bowl or bust” move.

And the front office is going to want to see results quickly, even if the AFC West is absolutely stacked. Wilson is a guy that would be expected to move the needle wherever he went and should still be considered one of the five best quarterbacks in the league.

It may be unrealistic to expect to win the Super Bowl this season (Manning didn’t even get there in 2012) but within three years, the Broncos will be expected to be a team that hoists the Lombardi Trophy.

There is a rookie head coach in place and a new offensive system is being installed. It will take some time to create some cohesiveness so a certain level of patience will be required.

Next. Broncos bring back key defensive piece. dark

But as a proud franchise, just making the playoffs is not good enough for Denver. This trade was made to put the Broncos back in the big game and Wilson is going to have to do that in order for this to be a good move for the team.

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