Ryan Lilja and Peyton Manning go way back.

They were teammates for six years with the Indianapolis Colts. They won a Super Bowl together in 2006.

As of now, Lilja is retired, a little earlier than most offensive linemen at 31 years old. That’s what the last three years with the Kansas City Chiefs will do to a guy.

The Broncos, though, are trying to make Lilja and Manning teammates again. According to two NFL sources, the Broncos have offered a contract to Lilja in hopes he will compete with Manny Ramirez for the starting job at center that has been vacated by injuries to Dan Koppen and J.D. Walton.

When Lilja was healthy, he was the Colts’ starting left guard from 2004-09. He played right guard, left guard and center the past three seasons for the Chiefs. Center was his primary position last season.

He retired after the Chiefs’ dismal 2-14 season in 2012, but the team tried to talk him out of it in April. Other teams also have contacted Lilja in recent days. What the Broncos have that other teams don’t, though, is Manning. Lilja knows that a team with Manning is a Super Bowl contender.

The Broncos didn’t pressure Lilja, telling him to take his time and think it over. He is expected to make a decision in the next day or two. It’s possible Lilja could go from retired today to the Broncos’ starting center in their opener Sept. 5 against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.