**

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —** After an impressive first season in which he rose in the ranks to make key plays throughout the season, wide receiver Bennie Fowler has signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender to return to the Broncos in 2016.

"It feels great to continue my career here in Denver. I'm happy to be back," Fowler said.

A 2014 practice squad player who was signed as a college free agent, Fowler recorded 203 receiving yards on 16 receptions (12.7 yard average). In the playoffs, he had two receptions for 35 yards. No catch, regular-season or postseason, was bigger than his 31-yard reception on third-and-12 against the Steelers during the fourth quarter of the Broncos' AFC Divisional Playoff game. With an offense struggling to find its groove, Fowler caught a pass over the middle from Peyton Manning that kept the drive and the Broncos' season alive. The possession would end in a go-ahead touchdown that would put the Broncos up for good.

In Super Bowl 50, Fowler found the end zone on the Broncos' two-point conversion attempt to put Denver up two touchdowns. The pass from Manning on that play would be the last of his career.

Since then, the post-Super Bowl glory has been a whirlwind for Fowler, who even got to see teammate Von Miller compete on "Dancing with the Stars."

"It's been a lot of fun getting congratulations texts, seeing a whole bunch of people. They say congrats and they're happy for me," Fowler said. "So it's been a great offseason, and I actually got to see Von on 'Dancing with the Stars.'"

While in California, Fowler worked out with new Broncos QB Mark Sanchez, as well as some fellow Broncos receivers.

"Mark's a great guy, got a great arm. People should be excited about what he's going to bring to the Broncos," Fowler added. "[And] just catching up with DT [Demaryius Thomas] and Emmanuel [Sanders], Jeff [Heuerman], Jordan Taylor -- having everybody out there is great experience."