Remembering the Broncos' Pro Bowl free-agent additions
When free agency officially begins on March 17, the Broncos will aim to add a new crop of talented players to their roster. The goal every year is to add Pro Bowl caliber players to the roster, and the Broncos have done that often during their free-agent history. Before free agency gets underway, we're taking a look back at the team's previous unrestricted free agent signings — and a few players who were released and chose to call Denver home.
After being released by the Buccaneers in 2003, John Lynch signed with the Broncos and spent the final four years of his career in Denver. He made the Pro Bowl each year and was named to the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 2016 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Ed McCaffrey signed with the Broncos in 1995 and proceeded to be a staple of the offense over the next nine seasons. He posted three 1,000-yard seasons while in Denver and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1998.
Jake Plummer signed with the Broncos ahead of the 2003 season and spent four years with the team. He threw for 11,631 yards and 71 touchdowns and was named to the 2005 Pro Bowl.
Center Casey Wiegmann signed with the Broncos in 2008 after spending seven years with the Chiefs. He made the lone Pro Bowl of his career in 2008 with the Broncos.
Brian Dawkins signed with the Broncos in 2009 and made two Pro Bowls in three seasons to cap a Hall of Fame career.
Michael Dean Perry, a former second-round pick and five-time Pro Bowler in Cleveland, signed with the Broncos in 1995. He made a Pro Bowl for the Broncos in 1996.
Emmanuel Sanders joined the Broncos in 2014 and quickly made an impact, as he made the first Pro Bowl of his career in his first season in Denver. He added another Pro Bowl berth in 2016 and spent six seasons in Denver, where he caught 404 passes for 5,361 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Louis Vasquez signed with the Broncos in 2013 and made a Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro that season. He played three total seasons in Denver and was part of two teams that advanced to the Super Bowl.
Undoubtedly the best free-agent signing in team history, Peyton Manning won an MVP Award, set numerous NFL records and led the Broncos to a world championship during his time in Denver. After being released by Indianapolis, he picked the Broncos from a number of suitors — and Denver was graced by the play of one of the all-time greats. He was recently elected to the Hall of Fame and will likely soon be elected to the team's Ring of Fame.
Darian Stewart signed with the team in 2015 and spent four seasons in Denver. He made his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 2016 and totaled nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries while in Denver.
A 1996 free-agent signing, Alfred Williams — a Colorado alum — returned home and made a Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors in his first season with the Broncos. Williams played four seasons for the Broncos and won two world championships with the team.
A member of the team's 2014 free-agent class, T.J. Ward made a Pro Bowl in 2014 and spent three years with the team.
Aqib Talib had made just one Pro Bowl before he arrived in Denver in 2014 as part of the team's star-studded free-agent class. He would make the league's all-star game in each of his four seasons in Denver and earn a first-team All-Pro nod in 2016. Perhaps most impressively, Talib recorded six pick-sixes while in Denver.
Neil Smith, a former Kansas City Chief, joined the Broncos in 1997 and made the Pro Bowl as the Broncos won their first world championship. He played three seasons in Denver and won a pair of Super Bowls.
Anthony Miller, a former first-round pick by the Chargers, joined the Broncos in 1994 and spent three years with the team. He made a Pro Bowl in 1995 as he caught 59 passes for 1,079 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Bill Romanowski signed with the Broncos in 1996 and played with the Broncos through 2001. He made the Pro Bowl in 1996 and 1997.
Mark Schlereth signed with the Broncos in 1995 and held down the team's left guard position for six seasons. He made a Pro Bowl appearance in 1998 as the team won its second consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
After being released by the Cowboys in 2014, DeMarcus Ware signed with the Broncos and spent three seasons with the team. He made two Pro Bowls and recorded 21.5 sacks in his three years in Denver.
