Dwight Freeney has admitted that former Indianapolis Colts teammate Peyton Manning, now of Denver Broncos, texted him after his release from the Colts telling him to go and play for the Broncos.

Broncos are not thought to be interested in signing a new defensive end but Freeney said that he appreciated the gesture from his old teammate.

"He sent me a text and he just said, 'hey man, don't worry, come play with me in Denver,'" Freeney told PFT Live.

"I don't know how serious it was but, you know, it's good to hear some of your former teammates still follow you, they care and they want to see you succeed.

"I think they've got a couple good pass rushers [in Denver]. I don't know if they have room for me."

Freeney spent 11 seasons at the Colts, his entire NFL career to date.