With the 2025 NFL free agency cycle winding down, let’s take a look at some of the best FA adds in Denver Broncos History!
Honorable Mention: Emmanuel Sanders
Prior to the 2014 season, the Denver Broncos’ historic offense was in need of a receiver following the departures of Pro Bowl wideouts Eric Decker and Wes Welker. They ultimately landed on a 3-year $15 million contract with former Steeler Emmanuel Sanders, and it’s safe to say it was the right choice. Sanders caught 404 passes for 4,361 yards and 28 touchdowns across his 6 seasons in Denver, which earned him two Pro Bowls and helped his team to a Super Bowl championship in 2015-16.
Honorable Mention: Demarcus Ware.
The Denver Broncos knew they needed to improve their pass rush before taking on the 2014 season, so they made a big splash move by bringing in Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware on a 3-year, $30,000,000. Ware combined with Von Miller became a quarterback’s worst nightmare for the next 3 seasons. He made 2 Pro-Bowls and collected 21.5 sacks during that period. He also played an instrumental role in the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 championship run.
#5: Alfred Williams
Following a disappointing 8-8 season in 1995, the Broncos bolstered the defensive side of the ball by bringing 1991 1st-round pick Alfred Williams back home to Colorado. Williams was coming off an underwhelming season with the San Francisco 49ers, but he exploded in his first year with Denver. He racked up 13 sacks and forced 3 fumbles on his way to an All-Pro and Pro Bowl season, where he was a DPOY finalist. He then helped the Broncos win back to back Super Bowl championships before his retirement following the 1999 season.
#4: John Lynch
After 10 great years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which culminated in a Super Bowl victory, veteran safety John Lynch was released following a failed physical. However, the Bucs may have underestimated how much gas Lynch had left in the tank, as from 2004-2007 he remained a premier physical safety, forcing a career-high 4 fumbles in 2005. He made a Pro Bowl in each of his 4 seasons in the Mile High City, cementing his HOF resume and solidifying his spot as a Broncos legend.
#3: Aqib Talib
After the Broncos released Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey, they sought to shore up the secondary, and that’s exactly what they did. On March 11th, 2014, the Broncos inked a massive 6-year, $57 million dollar contract with corner Aqib Talib who was coming off the best season of his career with New England. Talib didn’t miss a beat as he rattled off 4 straight Pro Bowl seasons. In 2015 he helped Denver to their Super Bowl 50 victory, the following year in 2016 voters awarded him 1st-team All-Pro honors, and in 2017 he started the most iconic scuffle in Broncos history after snatching Michael Crabtree’s chain straight off his neck. Talib brought an unmatched energy to the field and remains among the greatest corners in Broncos history.
#2: Ed McCaffrey
Things weren’t looking great for Ed McCaffrey in 1994, the former Giants 3rd round pick had just come off of a career low 11 catches for 131 yards in San Francisco. But things changed when in 1995 he followed his offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan to the Denver Broncos. He became a core piece of the offense that won Super Bowl 32 and 33. In 2000 he caught a Broncos record 101 passes for a career high 1,317 yards. He totaled 462 receptions for 6,200 yards and 46 touchdowns for Denver, all of which remain top 5 in the Denver Broncos’ record books. He retired with the team after the 2003 season.
#1: Peyton Manning
No need to overthink this one. The Colts cut ties with the Sherriff after 2011 to start a new chapter with Andrew Luck, but Manning was far from done with the NFL. Manning made 3 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pros in 4 seasons with the Broncos. In 2013, he had the greatest season in quarterback history, throwing a record 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards and winning MVP and OPOY. In 2015 he had the worst season of his career due to neck injuries and surgeries he previously experienced, but he got it all together in the playoffs and led Denver to a Super Bowl 50 victory. His 140 touchdowns in just 4 seasons with the team puts him on a short list of the greatest players to ever suit up in the Orange and Blue.
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