Williams: Broncos can't truly replace Manning

The Denver Broncos are moving in a new direction under center after sending Peyton Manning riding off into the sunset with a Super Bowl 50 title.

Manning may not have been playing at his typical Hall of Fame level in the two seasons prior to retirement, but his presence was certainly invaluable throughout his four-year stay in Denver.

Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams spoke about that very impact in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, suggesting that the Broncos can't truly replace the all-time great signal-caller.

Via Teddy Mitrosilis of FOX Sports:

I think Peyton is one of those type of guys where you never replace him. People give Peyton a lot of down talk for the way he played this year, but Peyton carried us more than just his play on the field. The guys he had on offense, he was leading them. The way Brock (Osweiler) played, you gotta give respect to Peyton for bringing him along. Peyton stayed in his ear the whole time.

I just think you can't replace a guy like him, because he's a powerful guy. You gotta figure out other ways to bring some of that energy back into the locker room, because you'll never have another Peyton Manning in the locker room that'll touch the team the way he did. Peyton was a guy that was 100 percent business, so when he did speak a lot of guys sat up in their chairs and paid attention. It was unbelievable.

Manning's return to the lineup in Week 17 helped a struggling offense get back on track ahead of the playoffs. For as impressive as Osweiler may have been for stretches beforehand, the Broncos certainly could have seen their season end differently were it not for Manning's contributions.

Closing out his career with 45 wins over the last four seasons, the veteran quarterback racked up over 17,000 passing yards and 140 touchdowns.

Denver now moves forward by holding a competition between Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian, and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch in determining Manning's immediate replacement.