ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Chances are you had more experience playing football than Chris Manhertz did when he left college.
A 6-foot-6, 235-pound power forward at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., Manhertz was a three-year starter at the school where he averaged 7.7 points and 7.7 points a game during his final three years.
Reconditioning his body and skill set after college so he could try playing football for the first time his life, Manhertz received a tryout from then-Buffalo Bills' head coach Rex Ryan in 2015. Released, Manhertz was picked up by New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who put the raw, powerful athlete on his practice squad for a year of development.
Seven NFL seasons, 16 catches and hundreds of blocks later, Manhertz reached agreement Monday on a two-year, $6 million contract with the Broncos -- whose new head coach is Sean Payton -- with $3.34 million guaranteed.
Only in America.
"This is a testament to coach Payton's ability to know talent and know value,'' said Sean Stellato, owner of SOS Sports agency who represents Manhertz. "Chris comes from humble beginnings but he is a grinder. He's an old-school, stick-your-hand-in-the-dirt football player who loves to get after it.
"He's going to help those young kids and do everything he can to help win a Super Bowl for that loyal fan base."
Manhertz, who is now 255 pounds and turns 31 in April, was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers in 2016 and stayed with the team for 4 1/2 seasons before moving to Jacksonville to play the past two seasons.
He has never had more than 6 catches or 71 yards receiving in a season, but the Broncos value Manhertz as an ideal complement to receiver-type tight end Greg Dulcich. Since becoming a full-time player in 2017, Manhertz has played in 97 of a possible 98 games.
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