They say, “Money can’t buy happiness.” The question for each NFL team during free agency though is if money can buy championships – which would be happiness for that team and its fan base. As day 1 of free agency started hot yesterday with several team’s quick to announce signings amid the additional frenzy to cut some players before they were owed roster bonuses.  We’re now in the “silly season”… a complicated chess match that will last at least until the draft in May.

While it’s too early in the NFL offseason to draw many conclusions or have a clear narrative, one team is clearly all in for 2014. The Denver Broncos made it all the way to the Super Bowl last season before an epic collapse and beat down by the Seattle Seahawks. They are on a spending spree, pushing all of their chips into the pot which I’m sure is partially to avoid the curse of a lackluster season after going to the Super Bowl, but mostly to try to capitalize on their time left with Peyton Manning.

When John Elway made the decision to sign Manning almost 2 years ago, it was a gamble. After missing the entire 2011 season due to a neck injury and several surgeries later, the Colts released their franchise QB to make room for the next one. Thinking they were close to a championship, the Broncos made the decision to sign Manning to a 5 year deal. Yes, there were clauses for injury, but everyone expected to see him on the field. At that presser, Manning said “This isn’t something where I’m just building a foundation to do something in two years or three years. This is a now situation. We’re going to do whatever we can to win right now. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.” After a getting close the past two seasons, the time is definitely NOW for the Broncos. Manning will be back for 2014, but beyond that is unknown. I’m sure he wants to go out on top, but that’s definitely easier said than done.

At this point, they’ve already made some big moves. The minor signing to keep WR Andre Caldwell is a good move to soften the blow of Eric Decker playing elsewhere next season. They released fan favorite and veteran Champ Bailey after a rough 2013 season where he was either injured or exposed. Moving on from him should be easy given the big defensive trio that they’ve already signed. Taking a CB from your biggest rival while also filling a need and improving pass coverage got them Aqib Talib from the Patriots. Needing to further strengthen their secondary, they also signed Pro Bowl SS TJ Ward – who will also bring some toughness to their defense as a whole. In the copycat NFL, they saw how much difference a legit secondary can make when Seattle picked them apart and would like to replicate that. Perhaps the biggest splash was getting DE DeMarcus Ware the day after the franchise all time sack leader was released by the Cowboys yesterday. Pairing him with Von Miller greatly improves their pass rush – as long as everyone can stay on the field. No team made as many big moves in the first 24 hours of free agency.  

In a fairly winnable AFC, the Broncos are trying to build their own “dream team” to take on the best of the NFC in 11 months. This is definitely the short sighted way to “build a team” but also makes sense with Manning coming off a MVP and record-breaking season while knowing the window is short to have him play at such a high level. So, as they look at other moves to make after getting some big contracts done early, Elway and Company in Denver can only hope that money can buy happiness in the form of a championship!