The Denver Broncos are the defending AFC West champs, and they added a future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in the offseason, so now San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith is making sure to pay proper deference to Denver during the offseason. Smith knows the division race will be tough once again in the upcoming NFL season, and he explained the challenge to Kevin Acee and Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego:
"As far as the division race is concerned, I know this, it will be very difficult to win the West. The Broncos are defending champs, and they added Peyton Manning. The Raiders and the Chiefs are much better. The Broncos are led by one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. I just hope the Broncos don't run away with the division and leave the rest of us behind in the dust."
Aside from the addition of Manning, the Broncos have also brought in former New Orleans Saints CB Tracy Porter and ex-Buffalo Bills corner Drayton Florence to play behind Von Miller and company up front on the defensive side of the ball. The AFC West race came down to the final weeks last season, but Manning and the Broncos are hoping they've done enough to make it a more comfortable push to the finish line this year.
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