An old friend and Super Bowl Champion stopped by Broncos training camp

The Denver Broncos are trying to do everything in their power to recapture the magic of the 2015 squad that won the Super Bowl in Peyton Manning’s last dance. Heading into this season, it seems that they have their best roster since that team 10 years ago, and the vibes are high at Broncos Park heading into the season.

The Broncos — and Sean Payton — had an old friend swing by practice on Wednesday to check in on how this team is looking as camp is in full swing on the third consecutive day of full pads practice, and share some smiles.

Emmanuel Sanders just had a nice embrace with Courtland Sutton and Sean Payton at Broncos training camp. Super Bowl 50 champ out here at practice. pic.twitter.com/Ma01CTI6Kl

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) July 30, 2025

Emmanuel Sanders, the team’s second-leading receiver that Super Bowl year, made an appearance at camp. He spent six years in Denver from 2014-2019, and had a stint with Payton and the New Orleans Saints in 2020. Despite not ending his career in Denver, he made sure to retire as a Bronco at the start of the 2022 season (one of the few good things that happened to the franchise that year).

He also played a massive role in the Super Bowl, as his six receptions for 83 yards were by far the best marks on the roster that day.

Every Emmanuel Sanders catch from Super Bowl 50

Super Bowl 50
February 7th, 2016 pic.twitter.com/voUdedicAA

— The Broncos Daily 🗞 (@TheBroncosDaily) May 16, 2024

In Sanders’ time with the Broncos, he racked up 5,361 yards and 28 touchdowns on 404 receptions. He has the 10th-most receiving yards in franchise history, but will likely drop to 11th in Week 1 as he is only 21 yards ahead of the newly-extended Courtland Sutton. The 28 touchdowns are the 13th-best mark.

In his one season with Payton in New Orleans, Sanders had 61 catches for 726 yards and five touchdowns, all of which were team-highs amongst wide receivers that season.

The 5-foot-11 receiver appeared in three Super Bowls in a 10-year span, but was only victorious with the Broncos in 2015. He lost with the Steelers in 2010 and again with the 49ers in 2019. If Jimmy Garoppolo was able to hit him behind the defense late in his third and final Super Bowl, the story might be a bit different.

Jimmy Garoppolo missing Emmanuel Sanders changed so much history..

The 49ers would have 6 rings

Mahomes SB Record would be 2-3

The 49ers may never draft Trey Lance, who they spent THREE 1st Round picks to get..

It’s so wild to think about how different this league would be pic.twitter.com/DyjYhLSBfJ

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 29, 2025

Maybe it was destiny that he was only meant to be a champion with the Broncos?

It’s good to see that the Broncos have instilled strong culture with current and past players, as Sanders is not the only former player who has swung by practice this offseason. Payton even said that he ‘loves’ when those former guys show their face in town.

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