Broncos' Sanders: 'We have to get past that Peyton Manning era'

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders misses Peyton Manning, but knows his club has to move on from the future Hall of Famer if it's to win back-to-back titles.

"Peyton (Manning) was last year. I texted him yesterday and told him that I miss him being out here, but at the end of the day, this is a new team with the same goal," Sanders said. "We have to get past that Peyton Manning era. Right now, we're trying to find ourselves a quarterback and that's what it's about. These guys are out here competing."

Sanders is currently working on developing a rapport with the Broncos' two new quarterbacks, Mark Sanchez and first-round Paxton Lynch, who are in competition with second-year passer Trevor Siemian for the starting role.

"I think it's going well. We still have three more weeks left. I think we can continue to improve, but so far, so good," Sanders said.

Sanders developed into a star receiver with Manning's help, putting together his first 1,000-yard seasons of his career in 2014 and 2015.

The 29-year-old is entering the last year of his contract and is seeking a new deal.

Proving he can still produce without Manning will likely go a long way to getting the extension he seeks.