Skip to content

TJ Ward: Broncos need team effort to replace Manning

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Some wondered if future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning was holding his team back with some of his performances in the 2015 season.

His Denver Broncos teammates were not among those people.

While Manning's play greatly declined last season, his leadership and experience were crucial in capturing the Super Bowl title. The Broncos will need someone to step up in that void.

Safety T.J. Ward says it's going to take a lot more than one player to replace their former quarterback.

"You can't replace a player like Peyton. What he's done for this team and the NFL period. You can't replace a guy like that right away," Ward told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "We're going to make this a team effort. We've got a bunch of great leaders in our locker room who are going to rally up try to fill that void.

"We've got a bunch of leaders in our locker room so we're just going to all come together and try to fill that void."

Ward added that he's liked what he's seen from the Broncos' quarterback replacement committee of Mark Sanchez, Paxton Lynch, and Trevor Siemian, but hasn't seen them in action due to CBA restrictions.

The Broncos leaned heavily on Manning to be their leader last season and since his retirement, the team features just three players over the age of 30.

Veteran receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas will be expected to lead the offensive unit along with whoever wins the starting quarterback competition. Ward, along with Von Miller, Aqib Talib, and DeMarcus Ware, will represent the leaders on defense, but they will truly need a team effort to make up for the loss of a legend.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox