Brandon Marshall On Manning Retirement: I Wanted To Be There

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Just a day before a wave of free agency changes hit the Broncos roster, an NFL legend retired from the team.

In the midst of a long conversation about the NFL's busy offseason, linebacker Brandon Marshall took a moment on Xfinity Monday Live to reflect on Peyton Manning's news conference last week.

"It was important for me," said Marshall, explaining why he attended the news conference along with many other former teammates of Manning's.

"I feel like he had a big role in my development and how I came along as a football player," he said.

Marshall said he learned a lot when he matched up against Manning in practices.

"He has supported me a lot, he has helped me a lot, so I wanted to be there for him," Marshall said.

 
Marshall is a restricted free agent and the Broncos placed second-round tender on him. He expects to be back with the Super Bowl champions next season, and knows there are challenges ahead.

 
"I think that the target is going to be on our back. It's going to be a lot tougher," he said. "Teams are going to give us their best shot -- they're going to come in and play us as tough as they (can). Not that they weren't before, but now it's going to be like 'Okay, we're going to beat the champs.'"