Peyton Manning to Broncos: Retired John Elway Still Has Major Impact on NFL

John Elway hasn’t stepped foot on the football field since a walk-off Super Bowl win back in 1999. Fast-forward 13 years, and he’s still having a major impact on the league.

As VP of football operations for the only team he ever suited up for, Elway is the main reason Peyton Manning will now be donning a bright orange No. 18 jersey.

Both QBs are widely regarded as top-10 signal-callers of all time. That’s about as exclusive of a club as there is in sports. So when Manning was weighing his options, Elway stood out.

Speaking with billionaire owners like Bud Adams and Steven Ross wouldn’t cut it. Elway established the sort of rapport with Manning that made him feel comfortable. Judging by the four-time MVP's comments, it’s the main reason he chose the Mile High City (via Associated Press):

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I’m seeing him as the leader of a franchise. I really liked what he had to say. Everyone knows what kind of competitor he is as a player. I can tell he’s just as competitive in this new role. That got me excited.

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Manning wants to be around somebody that can match his competitiveness. He wants a guy that knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl. You can’t find that in Arizona or San Francisco right now. Clearly, it mattered more than anything else in his decision-making process.

At his age, Manning wanted a peer of sorts, and he hit the jackpot. How old was Elway when he won his first Super Bowl? 37. How old is Manning going to be when the season kicks off in September? 36.

Elway once again comes through for the Broncos franchise, and his legacy in the front office is now tied to a fragile neck. But Elway has always been the ultimate risk-taker ever since he forced his way out of the franchise that first drafted him.

That team?

The Colts.

Elway’s playing career may be a distant memory, but he’s still marking his stamp on the league. 

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