Broncos listen up to Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware as they seek to rediscover mojo

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – With the Denver Broncos trying to recapture their lost championship swagger, the franchise has called on stars of seasons’ past to try to give players an offseason boost.

Former quarterback Peyton Manning walked onto the practice field midway through Thursday’s voluntary practice session, striding onto the sideline while the offense was in the middle of a two-minute drill. Manning stepped into the huddle to address the full squad after practice ended.

“He just talked a little bit about being a pro, and what that means, and how that's something that is not just while they're here,” Broncos quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan told USA TODAY Sports. “It's on the field, it's in the meeting rooms, the weight room. It's when they are away from the facility. I think that was a great message he could convey to the entire team.”

Former Broncos pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, who retired after the 2016 season, is also in Denver this week as a guest coach, working with outside linebackers like first-round pick Bradley Chubb and Ware’s former teammates Von Miller, Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett.

Having Manning and Ware back on the practice field must have felt like a reunion for the few Broncos’ veterans who remain from the Super Bowl 50 championship team, including Miller, cornerback Chris Harris Jr., and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. But their presence was likely more important for the players who never shared a huddle or a locker room with the future Hall of Famers.

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The Broncos offense certainly missed Manning’s leadership and production over the past two seasons, which have featured a revolving door at quarterback and multiple changes to the coaching staff and roster. None of the Broncos’ current quarterbacks — starter Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly — played behind Manning.

Keenum attended the Manning Passing Academy while he was in college at the University of Houston, and said Manning has been helpful since Keenum arrived as a free agent in March. Manning and his family still live in Denver.

“He's been receptive to questions and different things,” Keenum told USA TODAY Sports. “He's a great tool to have right here in your backyard.”

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.