The 2012 season was the Denver Broncos' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 53rd overall and their second under head coach John Fox. The offseason was marked by the signing of former Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning on March 20, leading to the team trading incumbent quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. The Broncos did not have a first-round selection in the 2012 NFL draft, and selected defensive end Derek Wolfe as the team's first pick in the second round of the draft.
After a 2–3 start to the season, the Broncos finished the regular season on an eleven-game winning streak, and with a record of 13–3, the team exceeded their win total from the previous two seasons combined. The Broncos won their second consecutive AFC West division title, sweeping their division, as well as earning a first-round bye for the first time since 2005 and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 1998, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round by a double-overtime score of 38–35.
During the season, Manning set numerous individual, franchise and league records, including 300-yard passing games and game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Second-year linebacker Von Miller also set a franchise record for sacks at 18.5.
Coaching and front-office changes January 17: Matt Russell, who served as the team's director of college scouting during the past three seasons, was promoted to director of player personnel. That same day, the Broncos announced that Rich Tuten, the team's strength and conditioning coach since 1995, will not return for the 2012 season. January 24: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was hired as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders. January 27: The Broncos hired former Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Jack Del Rio as the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing Dennis Allen. Del Rio previously worked in the same capacity on John Fox's staff with the Carolina Panthers in . Also on January 27, the Broncos hired Luke Richesson as the team's new strength and conditioning coach, replacing Rich Tuten. February 3: The Broncos hired Mike Sullivan as the team's new director of football administration, replacing Mike Bluem. May 7: The Broncos parted ways with general manager Brian Xanders after four seasons. The team never did announce a replacement. May 14: Wayne Nunnely, who served as the team's defensive line coach during the past three seasons, retired. His position was filled by Jay Rodgers, who served as a coaching assistant during the past three seasons. May 29: Cory Undlin was hired as the new defensive quality control coach – a position previously held by Jay Rodgers. Undlin previously worked on Jack Del Rio's staff with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the previous three seasons.
Roster changes
Free agents Position Player 2012 Team Notes RB Lance Ball ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 13, re-signed March 20 LS David Binn UFA None DT Brodrick Bunkley UFA New Orleans Saints signed with the Saints on March 21 OT Chris Clark ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 13, re-signed April 6 P Britton Colquitt ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 13, re-signed April 4 S Brian Dawkins UFA None retired on April 23 TE Daniel Fells UFA None LB Mario Haggan UFA St. Louis Rams signed with the Rams on May 15 DE Derrick Harvey UFA None C Russ Hochstein UFA Kansas City Chiefs signed with the Chiefs on September 26 DE Jason Hunter UFA None re-signed March 29, placed on injured reserve August 27 FB Spencer Larsen UFA None DT Ryan McBean RFA Baltimore Ravens assigned tender on March 13, tender rescinded April 16,signed with the Ravens on May 7 LB Joe Mays UFA Denver Broncos re-signed March 18, placed on injured reserve October 30 PK Matt Prater Denver Broncos assigned franchise tag on March 5, signed 4-year contract on July 2 QB Brady Quinn UFA Kansas City Chiefs signed with the Chiefs on March 18 G Manny Ramirez UFA Denver Broncos re-signed March 22 TE Dante Rosario UFA San Diego Chargers signed with the Chargers on March 21 WR Eddie Royal UFA San Diego Chargers signed with the Chargers on March 15 DT Marcus Thomas UFA None CB Jonathan Wilhite UFA None WR Matthew Willis RFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 13, re-signed April 16 LB Wesley Woodyard UFA Denver Broncos re-signed March 22
Signings Position Player 2011 team Notes S Mike Adams Cleveland Browns signed March 15, on final roster DT Justin Bannan St. Louis Rams signed April 11, on final roster LB Keith Brooking Dallas Cowboys signed August 6, on final roster WR Andre Caldwell Cincinnati Bengals signed March 22, on final roster G C. J. Davis Carolina Panthers signed February 15, waived September 11,assigned to the practice squad on September 13promoted to active roster September 18, on final roster TE Joel Dreessen Houston Texans signed March 23, on final roster CB Drayton Florence Buffalo Bills signed May 10, released August 31 QB Caleb Hanie Chicago Bears signed March 24, released September 8,re-signed September 11, on final roster RB Jacob Hester San Diego Chargers signed November 26, on final roster WR Jason Hill Jacksonville Jaguars signed February 15, released August 31 WR/RS Trindon Holliday Houston Texans claimed off waivers from the Texans on October 11, on final roster WR Cameron Kenney Seattle Seahawks signed August 1, waived August 27 C Dan Koppen New England Patriots signed September 11, on final roster S Jim Leonhard New York Jets signed August 4, on final roster QB Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts claimed off waivers and signed to a five-year contract on March 20, on final rosterLB Mike Mohamed Practice squad player promoted to the active roster on September 29, waived October 1 CB Tracy Porter New Orleans Saints signed March 22, on final roster DT Sealver Siliga Practice squad player promoted to the active roster on September 8, on final roster WR Brandon Stokley New York Giants signed April 16, on final roster TE Jacob Tamme Indianapolis Colts signed March 23, on final roster Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's season.
Signing of Peyton Manning On March 20, 2012, the Broncos reached an agreement with former Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning on a five-year, $96 million contract. Manning missed the entire season following multiple neck surgeries, and was released by the Colts two weeks earlier on March 7, one day before the Colts were due to pay him a $28 million roster bonus. The Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans were also mentioned as possible destinations for the former long-time Colts quarterback; however, Manning informed Broncos' personnel to begin contract negotiations with the team on March 19, and he was introduced as the Broncos' new quarterback in a press conference at the team's headquarters in Dove Valley the following day.
The language of the contract contained the following conditions: Manning did not suffer a setback in his recovery from neck surgery prior to the end of the season; therefore, the Broncos owed Manning $18 million for the 2012 season. Manning passed a physical exam at the beginning of the league year, and the Broncos owed Manning $40 million through the season. The fourth (and eventual final) year of the contract – $19 million for – was dependent on Manning passing a physical exam. Manning retired on March 7, 2016, one month after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.
Departures Position Player Notes CB André Goodman released April 13 LB Brian Iwuh retired April 17 LS Lonie Paxton released August 27
Trades On March 21, one day after the signing of Peyton Manning, the Broncos were involved in a trade that sent quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets – see draft section below. On May 23, cornerback Cassius Vaughn was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for fullback Chris Gronkowski.
Draft
2012 Denver Broncos Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes Trades 1 None 2 36 Derek Wolfe DT Cincinnati signed May 21 57 Brock Osweiler QB Arizona State signed July 24 3 67 Ronnie Hillman RB San Diego State signed July 24 4 101 Omar Bolden CB Arizona State signed May 17 108 Philip Blake C Baylor signed June 1,placed on injured reserve September 18 5 137 Malik Jackson DE Tennessee signed May 18 6 188 Danny Trevathan LB Kentucky signed May 22 7 None Draft trades
Undrafted free agents All undrafted free agents were signed just after the 2012 NFL draft concluded on April 28, unless noted otherwise.
2012 Denver Broncos undrafted free agents Player Position College Notes DE Jamie Blatnick Oklahoma State waived August 31,assigned to practice squad September 11,released from practice squad October 13 LS Aaron Brewer San Diego State on final roster LB Elliot Coffey Baylor waived August 27 LB Jerry Franklin Arkansas waived August 31 S Duke Ihenacho San Jose State waived August 31,assigned to practice squad September 1,promoted to active roster September 29,waived October 11,assigned to practice squad October 13,promoted to active roster October 30,waived November 13 LB Steven Johnson Kansas on final roster CB Coryell Judie Texas A&M waived July 25 TE Anthony Miller California waived August 27 WR Eric Page Toledo waived July 25 OT Mike Remmers Oregon State waived August 27 S Anthony Perkins Colorado signed July 28, waived August 27 WR Gerell Robinson Arizona State waived August 31 G Wayne Tribue Temple waived August 31,assigned to practice squad September 1,released from practice squad September 11 G Austin Wuebbels Missouri waived August 27
Suspensions
March 9: Linebacker D. J. Williams, defensive tackle Ryan McBean and tight end Virgil Green were each suspended by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Williams and McBean were each suspended for the first six games of the season, while Green was given a four-game suspension. Williams and McBean each challenged the suspensions and took legal action against the NFL. McBean later signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 7, three weeks after his restricted free agent tender was rescinded by the Broncos. On August 27, a federal appeals court upheld Williams' suspension, and on October 5, Williams was suspended for an additional three games by the NFL following his August conviction for a driving under the influence arrest in November 2010. Green was reinstated to the active roster on October 1, while Williams was reinstated to the active roster on November 17, the latter in time for the team's Week 11 game vs. the San Diego Chargers. September 25: Linebacker Joe Mays was suspended one game and fined $50,000 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Houston Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub, during the Broncos' 31–25 loss to the Texans two days earlier (September 23). Schaub had his helmet knocked off, and suffered a laceration on his earlobe as a result of the hit. Mays missed the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders, and had been considered a repeat offender, following a $7,875 fine for a hit on Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan in Week 2.
Injuries August 4: Running back Mario Fannin suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during training camp, and was placed on injured reserve. Fannin missed the entire season following a knee injury during the preseason last year. August 14: Guard Chris Kuper suffered a broken forearm during practice. He not only missed the remainder of the preseason, but also missed the first five games of the regular season. Also on August 14, defensive end Jason Hunter suffered torn triceps, and was initially expected to miss at least two months, but was placed on injured reserve on August 27. September 11: Defensive tackle Ty Warren was placed on injured reserve, after suffering torn triceps for a second consecutive season.