At first, Broncos Country was skeptical. After riding with quarterback John Elway to two Lombardis in the 90s, they did not expect much from an injury-tagged Peyton Manning in 2012. However, once Manning walked into Empower Field at Mile High, things shifted. Soon enough, the offense had a new voice and, more importantly, a commanding one. And according to former defensive back for the Broncos, Champ Bailey, it did not take long for the QB to assume a leadership role.

“He lands on our team. And now I have another proven leader to lean on,” said Bailey on The Rich Eisen Show. “And he was nothing short of great, and I was fortunate enough to have that time in my final years.”

Then again, the admiration went beyond leadership. Bailey did not hesitate to underline the daily impact Manning had inside the building.

“He was amazing to me. He was amazing to our team. The dude is a winner, and he wins and does great at everything he does.”

And the timing could not have been better. Denver was searching for direction after Elway’s retirement. There were flashes. There were playoff runs. Still, there was no long-term answer under center. Manning arrived and erased that doubt instantly. The offense had structure once again, the huddle had authority, and the Broncos had clarity.

Because of that, free agents started circling Denver. Suddenly, the Broncos felt like the place to be. Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker joined the attack. DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward anchored the defense. Everyone wanted in, and Manning made that possible.

And with a star-studded roster, everything fell into place with the return of Gary Kubiak, who took over as head coach in 2015. The results followed fast.

Denver powered its way to a Super Bowl 50 win at Empower Field at Mile High. Even better, it came in Manning’s final NFL season. Sixteen years after Elway rode off into the sunset with a ring, the Broncos fans watched history repeat itself.

With Manning under center, the Broncos owned the AFC West for four straight years. They reached two Super Bowls and lifted one Lombardi. All of that happened while the franchise faced real challenges off the field. Pat Bowlen stepped away in 2014 due to Alzheimer’s disease. Still, the team stayed focused.

That consistency defined the era, and Manning was also statistically significant. In 58 games for the Broncos, he had a passer rating of 101.7 with 17,112 yards and 140 touchdowns. The connection Bailey and Manning shared was a cornerstone of the team’s success during that period.

Champ Bailey and Manning shared the huddle in 2012 and 2013. Bailey’s shutdown defense gave Manning freedom. Manning’s offense rewarded that trust. What’s interesting is that their connection barely started that way. After all, their familiarity dated back to their SEC days when they were conference rivals. Yet the respect was always mutual.

That admiration showed up publicly, too. Looking back on one painful memory, Manning once admitted the sting.

“I still haven’t gotten over [it],” Manning said in 2014. “I scrambled out to the right; I had a guy open in the back of the end zone, and I thought I was going to throw a touchdown, and Champ Bailey intercepts it. So I knew then, as a college player, what a special player and athlete he was.”

But when Manning left after the 2015 season, life changed in Denver. The Broncos missed the playoffs for eight consecutive years before reaching the wild-card round in 2024 with the arrival of Bo Nix under center.

It has been a decade since Manning hung up his cleats, but he is still connected to the sport. For one, Bailey urges the young aspirants and fans to learn from the 14-time Pro Bowler.

Champ Bailey wants young players to follow Peyton Manning

The Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, may have divided fans during their playing days, but there’s no denying that they were hilarious off the field. So, when they announced the ManningCast for Monday Night Football on ESPN, expectations shot up fast. Everyone knew this would not be a stiff analysis. Instead, it promised real stories, sharp reads, and pure entertainment rolled into one.

For anyone new to it, the idea is simple. The ManningCast is Monday Night Football through the Mannings’ eyes. Peyton breaks down plays. Eli adds timing and humor. Meanwhile, the guest list keeps things fresh. From former presidents to actors and musicians, the guest list is long.

Yet the game always stays at the center. That balance is what keeps viewers locked in.

Because of that, Champ Bailey pays close attention. The Broncos legend does not miss any episodes.

“I watch their ManningCast probably every week, every time they’re on,” Bailey said. “So, the platform that he’s had, I always tell kids, man, if you really want to learn about the game, go watch the ManningCast. And you just pick up nuggets here and there.”

Bailey’s advice goes deeper than just watching. He wants young players to study the details.

“I’m always encouraging young people who are interested in taking it to the next level, man. Go learn about the nuances of the game that give you an edge. You have no idea when all this information pops up in moments that help you succeed in certain plays. It’s a real thing. So, soak up as much as you can.”

In the end, the Mannings know success. They earned two Emmys for their show. They are now in their fifth straight season. The ManningCast runs all year long. It’s given fans a new way to follow the NFL. And ultimately, what better way to learn about the sport than from those who played it?

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports