Denver Broncos Secure Star Wide Receiver for the Long Haul

The **Denver Broncos** are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado, competing in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), the Broncos joined the NFL following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970[1][3][7]. Initially struggling in their first decade, with no winning seasons until 1973, the Broncos transformed into a competitive franchise by the late 1970s. Their breakthrough came in 1977 when they reached their first Super Bowl (XII), propelled by the famed "Orange Crush" defense under coach Red Miller[1][2][4]. The arrival of legendary quarterback John Elway in 1983 marked a new era, leading the team to five Super Bowl appearances between 1986 and 1998, winning back-to-back championships in 1997 (XXXII) and 1998 (XXXIII)[1][2][3][4]. After Elway’s retirement, the Broncos remained competitive, notably signing future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in 2012. Under Manning, Denver reached two Super Bowls, securing victory in Super Bowl 50 in 2016, their third championship[3][4][6]. The team is well-known for its strong fan base and home-field advantage at Empower Field at Mile High, a stadium renowned for its high altitude and passionate atmosphere[3][7]. Currently owned by the Walton-Penner group, the Broncos continue to innovate and compete under new leadership, including head coach Sean Payton who joined in 2023. Their valuation by Forbes in 2025 stands at $6.8 billion, making them the 13th most valuable NFL franchise[3]. The Broncos have a rich history of success, with eight AFC championships and three Super Bowl titles, and have contributed nine members to the Pro Football Hall o

## Overview of the NFL The National Football League (NFL) is the preeminent professional American football organization in the United States, renowned for its massive influence on sports, entertainment, and business. With 32 teams divided between the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC), the NFL organizes a 17-game regular season culminating in a single-elimination playoff and the Super Bowl—the most-watched annual sporting event in the U.S.[2] ## History and Evolution Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in Canton, Ohio, the league initially comprised teams primarily from the Midwest and Northeast[1][3]. It was renamed the National Football League in 1922 and faced early instability, surviving competition from rival leagues such as the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and multiple iterations of the American Football League (AFL)[2]. By the 1950s, the NFL had established a monopoly on professional football in the U.S., with only the Canadian Football League (CFL) operating independently in Canada[2]. The most significant development in NFL history was the 1966 merger agreement with the AFL, which led to a common draft and the creation of the Super Bowl as a championship game between the two league champions[1][2]. The leagues fully merged in 1970, reorganizing into the AFC and NFC and cementing the NFL’s dominance in American professional sports[1][2]. ## Key Achievements and Innovations The NFL pioneered lucrative television contracts, transforming football into a national pastime and a major media event. The league’s adoption of revenue-sharing and salary caps fostered competitive balance, helping small-market teams remain viable[2]. The NFL has also been a leader in sports technology, implementing instant replay, advanced player tracking, and digital platforms for fan engagement. Notable achievements include the expansion to 32 teams, the internationalization of the game through game