Denver Broncos Agree to Terms with Quarterback Peyton Manning

Quarterback Peyton Manning (C) poses with majority owner, president, and CEO Pat Bowlen (L) and executive vice president of football operations John Elway (R) during a news conference announcing Manning's contract with the Denver Broncos on March 20, 2012 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Official press release courtesy of the Denver Broncos media department:

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Super Bowl XLI MVP and 11-time Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning, it was announced on Tuesday. He will be introduced at a press conference at 1 p.m. at the team’s training facility.

Manning, who spent his first 14 seasons with Indianapolis, ranks third in NFL history in regular-season passing completions (4,682), yards (54,828) and touchdowns (399). He has posted the fourth-most wins by a starting quarterback (141) in league history while leading the Colts to 11 seasons with double-digit victories. In 19 postseason games, he has completed 453-of-718 passes (63.1%) for 5,389 yards with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions (see below for extended list of achievements and honors). 

Selected by Indianapolis with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft from the University of Tennessee, Manning set 33 school records, eight Southeastern Conference marks and two NCAA standards as a four-year starter for the Volunteers.

Manning attended Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans and was born on March 24, 1976.

STATEMENT FROM BRONCOS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS JOHN ELWAY ON QB PEYTON MANNING:

        “The opportunity to acquire a future Hall of Fame quarterback like Peyton Manning was one that we could not pass up. Adding a player of his caliber immediately improves our team. I believe he has many good years left as an elite quarterback, and this acquisition moves us closer to our ultimate goal of winning another Super Bowl.

“There are many reasons why we feel Peyton is a great fit for the Denver Broncos: Our city and our fans, Coach Fox and his staff, our players, and most importantly, the winning tradition established by Pat Bowlen. This is a great place to play football, and we are thrilled that Peyton has decided to become a Bronco.

“During his visit to our training facility, Peyton’s competitiveness, passion and football knowledge were overwhelmingly evident during the nearly seven hours he spent at our facility with our coaches and staff. We also were impressed with his progress in a throwing session for our coaches in North Carolina. His attitude and dedication will continue to aid him in his recovery.

“Peyton’s accomplishments in the NFL have been well-documented. Simply put, he is an incredible talent who is one of the best to ever play the game.

“This is a great day for our organization, and we are excited to welcome Peyton Manning and his family to the Denver Broncos.”

STATEMENT FROM BRONCOS HEAD COACH JOHN FOX ON QB PEYTON MANNING:

        “I’ve admired Peyton as a player for a long time. He has rare talent along with a work ethic that drives him and his teammates to be the very best. He makes everyone around him better. These qualities are what have made Peyton Manning such a special quarterback and earned him so much respect from around the league.

“Peyton has shown that he is completely dedicated to winning. This is a great opportunity for him to do just that along with everyone who is part of this team. I can’t wait to get started, and I couldn’t be happier that he is a Bronco.”