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Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 12, 2026

Champ Bailey Is Not Surprised By Peyton Manning

Champ Bailey said he knew Denver Broncos teammate Peyton Manning had a lot left in the tank.

September 9 2012; Denver, CO, USA;Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
September 9 2012; Denver, CO, USA;Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
September 9 2012; Denver, CO, USA;Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has VIP tickets to the Peyton Manning show, and he was one of the first players to see a neck injury that kept the quarterback out of action all of last season wasn't going to be the end of a spectacular career. Bailey joined 790 The Zone in Atlanta, telling the radio station that as soon as he saw Manning in action, he knew Manning's career was far from over.

Said Bailey, via the transcription from Sports Radio Interviews:

“A lot of people didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve seen him since the beginning of OTAs and through training camp. I’m not surprised at all. I knew he still had it. It’s just getting out there and getting the flow of things. I knew once he had the chance to make halftime adjustments, the second half would be hell for Pittsburgh.”

Praise Manning as a leader and a guy who knows football's ins and outs, but he's still got the arm to compete at a high level. Manning outplayed Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger in Week 1, completing 19-of-26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

Check out Mile High Report for more on the Denver Broncos or hit up SB Nation’s NFL hub.

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