Denver Broncos

Colin Kaepernick's ex-teammate, Brandon Marshall, says he views CK's settlement with the NFL as a victory for the QB ... explaining, "It showed that he had some good evidence."

Remember, Brandon -- who played college football with Kap at Nevada -- was one of the first players to take a knee and join in Colin's protest to put a spotlight on police violence against minorities.

While the terms of Kap's settlement with the NFL have not been made public, there are reports he got somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 mil ... and Marshall says that makes him "extremely happy."

"The fact that [the NFL] settled showed that [Kaepernick] had some good evidence. Whatever the outcome, I feel like Kap came out on top, so I'm happy for him."

Marshall says he knows Kaepernick still wants to play in the NFL -- and hopes teams can "let bygones be bygones and let him play quarterback."

Brandon says Kap is one of the hardest working guys he's ever met -- and he's confident he can still play at a high-level for a bunch of NFL teams.

NFL linebacker Brandon Marshall says he's not closing the book on a possible return to the Denver Broncos -- telling TMZ Sports, "It could definitely happen."

The Broncos already notified Marshall they will not be picking up his option -- which will officially make him a free agent on March 13. Marshall has played in Denver since 2013, where he grew into one of the best LBs in the league.

And, while Brandon's agent is out speaking to other teams (there's most definitely interest in the 29-year-old) ... Marshall says there's no bad blood with Denver and he could see a situation where he's back in orange in 2019.

"I wouldn't rule out a return yet," Marshall says ... "Still a chance I could return to the team. It could definitely happen."

Marshall not only lives in the Denver area, but he's also heavily involved in the local community and considers Denver home.

But, for a return to Denver to make sense, it has to make dollars.

"If things work its way out, I'm definitely open to a return ... they have to be open as well, we'll see."

Marshall was limited to 11 games in 2018 due to a knee injury -- but still logged 42 tackles.

He has the most solo tackles of any Broncos player since 2013. Over the course of his career, Marshall has 419 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.

He also has a Super Bowl ring from the Broncos victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Judging by Peyton Manning's beach bod, no football and a ton of Nationwide commercials does a body good!!!

Check out the retired 42-year-old on the beach in Miami this week -- tossin' around a football with his kids ... and showing off his shirtless, hairless physique.

Look, he's no Cam Newton ... but he's in pretty damn good shape for a guy who's been retired for nearly 3 years!!!

Check the vid ... dude's flashing bulky traps, decent biceps, faint abs -- and yeah, the cannon arm is still there too!!!

Of course, Peyton quit the NFL after winning the Super Bowl in 2016 (following the 2015 season) -- ending one of the most impressive careers in the history of the league.

It all begs the question ... is his bod better than Tom Brady's right now???

A shirtless TB12 was spotted on vacation with Gisele in Costa Rica just last week ... you be the judge.

Peyton is a surefire 1st ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2021.

Besides winning 2 Super Bowls (1 with the Indianapolis Colts, 1 with the Denver Broncos) ... he was a 14-time Pro Bowler, 7-time 1st team All-Pro and was the NFL MVP 5 times!!!

Plus, he led the NFL in passing yards 3 different seasons ... and was No. 1 in passing TDs in 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2013.

Elvis Dumervil says he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame ... telling TMZ Sports, "I'm able to compete with anyone in my era of rushing the passer."

The ex-Broncos and Ravens star is widely considered by NFL pundits as a fringe HOFer after playing 11 seasons ... but, he says his resume is good enough in his mind to get in.

"Do I feel like I belong? Of course I feel like I belong."

Dumervil might have a point ... dude was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro -- AND he finished with 105.5 career sacks.

In fact, of the 25 players ahead of him on the all-time sack list that are currently eligible for the Hall of Fame -- only 7 are still waiting on the call.

But, Elvis says you shouldn't even compare him to those guys ... he's telling us it's his own draft class -- one that featured Mario Williams -- that he should be up against.

BTW, while Dumervil waits to become HOF eligible -- he's building up a pretty successful real estate business in Miami ... telling us, he's the owner of over 600 multi-family units!!!

John Elway made a desperate move trading for Joe Flacco ... and it could end up being a HUGE mistake -- so says Elvis Dumervil, who tells TMZ Sports, "Flacco is no Peyton Manning."

Elway took a page out of his 2012 Broncos playbook Wednesday ... acquiring a veteran Super Bowl MVP with the hopes of revitalizing a tired Denver franchise.

The problem? Elvis says Flacco ain't even close to what Manning was when Denver picked him up 7 years ago ... and now the former Bronco is SERIOUSLY concerned for the team's GM.

"It's a big gamble. Definitely desperate, no doubt ... It can be a great deal, or it can be another bad decision by John Elway."

Elvis' biggest issue with the move is Flacco's skill set -- the pass rusher tells us Joe NEEDS a good OC to thrive ... and he's worried that ain't there in Denver.

In fact, Dumervil says if Flacco DOESN'T have an elite play caller ... things are gonna get ugly at Mile High quickly -- the exact opposite of what went down after Elway signed Manning.

"[Elway] did a genius move with Peyton Manning. But unfortunately, Joe Flacco is no Peyton Manning."

Broncos legend Terrell Davis says he's FIRED UP about John Elway's decision to bring Joe Flacco to Denver -- telling TMZ Sports, "I like the move because you're being aggressive."

The Hall of Famer -- who won 2 Super Bowls with Elway -- says he respects the fact that Elway isn't rolling the dice and betting the season on getting a quality QB in the draft.

Instead, Davis says Elway made a smart move in bringing in a guy with real Super Bowl experience and leadership ... the kinds of qualities that can change the culture of an organization.

Davis says it's clear Case Keenum wasn't the answer as QB in 2018 -- and TD says he's not convinced the 2019 NFL Draft class is "rich of young quarterbacks."

Davis also really likes Flacco's arm -- and says with the right coaching staff around him, he can lead the Broncos back to the promised land.

"Who's Antonio Brown?"

That's the latest shade from Emmanuel Sanders to AB ... and yeah, their beef clearly ain't dead yet.

ICYMI -- Sanders and the Steelers superstar have gone back-and-forth over the last month ... all stemming from Brown's issues in Pittsburgh.

Sanders ripped AB's season-ending antics on an appearance on NFL Network in mid-January ... saying Brown's actions were disrespectful to his teammates AND to Steelers ownership.

Brown fired back on Twitter ... Sanders responded -- and the full-blown beef was on.

The barbs had quieted down over the last couple weeks -- so, we had to ask Sanders when we got him out at the Super Bowl if the rift with AB was dead.

"Who's Antonio Brown?" the Broncos WR replied.

Clinton Portis says there's TWO reasons he would booze on Hennessey before taking the field during his NFL career -- pain management and "turning up."

Yeah, it's confusing ... but that's how the former Washington Redskins running back justified his alcoholic pre-game ritual while appearing on FS1's "Fair Game with Kristine Leahy" on Monday.

"If you're going out to have a good time, you pre-game" Portis explained while comparing playing in the NFL to hitting the clubs with friends.

In other words, Clinton started off by saying the shot helped him get his mind right.

"It was a turn-up ... for me, it wasn't like I was getting drunk. We took one shot."

Then came the pivot -- it's almost like Clinton realized his explanation wasn't going over well, so he played the self-medication card.

"For me, it was kind of like, 'This shot and I'm going out to play.' Like this is going to take the pain away or the fear or whatever it was. Like, now it's time."

Portis says he was never one to take pain-killers or drugs ... so hittin' the bottle before he hit the pads was his way of coping with the injuries he suffered throughout his 9-year career.

"After I took that shot, it was like, okay, now it's time to go do this instead of going to lay down and take a Toradol shot which all the sudden it comes out and it's hazardous to your health."

Sorry, Tennessee ... Peyton Manning will NOT be the state's next senator -- so says one of its current ones, Bob Corker.

FYI, Corker is leaving office next month after 11 years in the Senate -- and fellow Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander just announced he will not seek reelection in 2020.

Many are speculating the moves leave the door open for a beloved former NFL quarterback (and Univ. of Tennessee alum) to enter the mix.

So, when we spotted Corker out on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, we had to ask if he sees a Manning political run in the near future. Spoiler alert: don't get your hopes up.

"I think Peyton's liking coaching little league football," Corker says ... "I doubt that's going to be a topic of discussion based on last round."

Of course, Peyton's life after football has been a huge discussion ever since he retired from the Broncos after winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Some wanted him to be an offensive coordinator, others wanted to hear him in the broadcast booth ... and then there was a big push to get him to be a senator in Tennessee.

But, Manning has consistently shot all that down, saying back in 2017, "Look, I certainly have an interest in politics and in our country. I just have zero interest in being a politician."

Corker seems to think nothing's changed with Peyton since ... 'cause when our photog asked straight-up, "You don't think it's happening -- no chance?"

Bob left us with a firm "No."

George Kittle dabbed like a madman and danced his face off in the locker room Sunday ... and it's all 'cause the 49ers tight end went for 210 yards on the Broncos!!!

Kittle's been eating defenses alive this season ... already posting 1,103 yards on the year -- but he REALLY cooked Denver's D at Mile High.

Dude caught 7 balls for 210 yards and one touchdown in a win ... and teammate Marquise Goodwin got his postgame celebration on vid afterward -- and we're all grateful for it.

Kittle showed us his shoulder rolls ... then dabbed like an insane person -- and there was even a cameo from John Lynch!!

Yeah, pretty epic.

The bad news for George ... the Niners are just 3-10 even after the W and are still probably the worst team in the NFL.

The good news for Kittle ... have you seen his girlfriend?!

Dez Bryant's done for the season ... but the Broncos would be stoked to have him on their squad next year -- so says one of Denver's star D-lineman.

TMZ Sports got Domata Peko out in Bev Hills enjoying the Broncos' bye week -- when we had to ask, does he think Dez can come back from the torn Achilles he suffered last week?

Peko said of course ... saying one of his ex-Bengals teammates proves that.

"Achilles are tough, man. One of my homies, though, his name is Leon Hall and he had two Achilles and he's still playing. So, yeah, man, he can come back."

Domata then told us he'd love to be teammates with Dez in 2019 -- if the wideout wants to come to Mile High.

"We'll take whoever, anybody, to help us win!"

One problem? Bryant might be a wanted man -- the Saints seemed fired up about the WR, despite only having him on the roster for two days, and say they want him back in 2019.

But first, Dez has gotta get healthy -- something Peko thinks the 30-year-old ex-superstar can easily do.

Terrell Owens says the Houston Texans just got WAY better after trading for Demaryius Thomas ... telling TMZ Sports the whole city should be jacked up about the move!!!

We got T.O. out at LAX earlier this week and actually broke the trade news to the Hall of Famer ... who says the Texans getting D.T. from the Broncos for a 4th-round pick is HUGE.

"That's a big blockbuster trade right there," Owens tells says.

So, why is he so fired up about the deal for Houston??

"What that does is it really rejuvenates, it brings life to that locker room."

"It brings some excitement, obviously, to the city of Houston, and I'm sure Deshaun Watson is obviously excited to have someone of that caliber."

Von Miller says he's HURT by the Demaryius Thomas trade from the Broncos to the Texans ... saying in a lengthy goodbye letter, "I can’t believe this is real!"

Denver shipped D.T. and a 7th-round pick to Houston on Tuesday for 4th and 7th-round picks in return ... and Miller was so sad about it, he took to his social media page to vent.

"These last 8 years have been incredible," Von wrote ... "I love you bro. I’m hurt, no doubt. I can’t be too hurt because every chance I got to tell you I love you, did just that."

"From our time together off the field, to our time on it. You are a brother to me, and 'Blood couldn’t make us any closer' LOVE ETERNALLY!"

Of course ... Demaryius and Miller were back-to-back Broncos 1st-round picks in 2010 and 2011 -- and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title in 2016 over the Panthers.

For their part ... the Broncos issued a goodbye to the wideout as well, saying, "Demaryius will always be a part of the Denver Broncos family."

The Denver Broncos have axed backup QB Chad Kelly from the team after he was arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly trying to break into a Denver-area home.

Broncos general manager John Elway was furious after learning about the arrest and decided it was best to get rid of Kelly ... according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Cops say Kelly broke into a home around 1:17 AM and sat down on the couch next to a woman who was holding her baby. Kelly was reportedly mumbling incoherently at the time.

Police say someone in the home chased Kelly out while striking him with a piece from a vacuum. He was ultimately arrested for criminal trespassing.

Kelly had attended Von Miller's Halloween party earlier in the evening ... and there are reports Kelly had to be escorted out after getting into a physical altercation with another guest.

Elway released a statement on the decision, saying, "Even though Chad's no longer part of our team, we've offered to help him however we can and are supportive of him in every way possible."

Denver Broncos backup QB Chad Kelly was arrested in Colorado early Tuesday morning after cops say he broke into a home around 1 AM.

The Englewood Police Dept. says officers were called to the home at 1:17 AM in reference to a man standing outside the residence. While cops were en route, the man entered the home.

According to court records, Kelly sat down on a couch next to the home owner ... as she held her baby. The woman said Kelly was "mumbling incoherently."

Cops say a male inside the house hit Kelly in the upper back with a 2-3 foot stick shaped piece from a vacuum ... and was able to chase him outside.

Officers searched the area and were able to locate Kelly inside of a black SUV.

24-year-old Kelly -- a former star at Ole Miss -- was arrested and charged with 1st-degree criminal trespass, as first reported by Ian Rapoport.

He was transported to a nearby jail where he was booked and later released.

It's not Kelly's first brush with the law -- he was arrested back in 2014 after getting into a fight outside of a nightclub in Buffalo, NY. He later pled guilty to disorderly conduct.

9:55 AM PT -- The Broncos just released a statement on Kelly's arrest, saying ... "We are disappointed that Chad Kelly was arrested early this morning. Our organization has been in contact with Chad, and we are in the process of gathering more information.”

The Denver Broncos had a Halloween party ... and man, did it blow.

Von Miller hosted his annual All Hallows' Eve bash for his teammates on Monday ... and the unofficial theme seemed to be people who famously dabbled in the booger sugar, nose candy, devil's candy ... you know, COCAINE!

Check out linebacker Brandon Marshall who transformed into Bobby Brown, complete with a gold chain and king-sized bag of yayo.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders rubbed white powder all over his face to become the legendary "Chappelle's Show" crackhead Tyrone Biggums.

And, not to beat a dead (white) horse ... O.T. Genasis was there performing his drug-inspired anthem, "Coco."

Oh yeah, and Pacman Jones was Boba Fett. Good stuff.