PHOENIX -- A lot has changed in the work-day world of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning since signed with the team in 2012.

After he received the Bart Starr Award Friday for his off-the-field efforts, Manning took a moment to acknowledge former Broncos coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase.

“I feel I need to say, boy I really, it’s a tough business that we play in, and unfortunately this is the third time I’ve been a part of a coaching transition where a coach has lost his job, where assistant coaches have lost their jobs and it’s the toughest part about it," Manning said. “I’m very thankful and grateful for what John Fox did for me as a player, he’s a big reason I chose to play in Denver. One thing I’ll say about Coach Fox, he always had my back and that can’t go unnoticed and it was never unnoticed by me. I was thankful for him.

“And of course Adam Gase and I probably spent as much time together as any Bronco employee these last three years and sorry that changes are part of it. I guess you become used to it, but you don’t become numb to it, there is an emotional attachment to guys that become friends. Of course wish them the best and Coach Del Rio, I wish him the best."

Fox was the first head coach from another team to make contact with Manning after the quarterback’s release by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. As a result, the Broncos were the first team Manning visited in his free agency tour. Manning faced some change after the ’12 season when offensive coordinator Mike McCoy left to take the San Diego Chargers coaching job. Gase was promoted from quarterbacks coach.

The Broncos parted ways with Fox the day after the team’s playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Fox was later hired by the Chicago Bears, where Gase joined him as offensive coordinator.

The only holdovers from Fox’s staff still in Denver are running backs coach Eric Studesville, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and offensive line coach Clancy Barone (who was Fox's tight ends coach). In Gase’s two years as the team’s play-caller the Broncos scored an NFL single-season record 606 points in 2013 and were second in the league in scoring this season with 482 points.

The Broncos averaged 34 points per game the last two seasons. New coach Gary Kubiak is expected to have the majority of the play-calling duties with the Broncos, and former Broncos player and assistant coach Rick Dennison will be the team's offensive coordinator.

Manning said he likes and respects Kubiak -- the two had a meeting this past Wednesday -- but also wants to hear the plan for the offense, the roster, and Manning’s place in them as he tries to decide whether or not to return for the 2015 season.

“(I’m) getting a good evaluation of the changes that have been made, you know, how I fit in to the changes, how does Coach Kubiak see me possibly fitting in with him and his team," Manning said. “ Like I said you want to get a good feel for them and what’s comfortable to them as well."

And of their first sit-down this past week since Kubiak’s hire, Manning said" “Coach Kubiak seemed quite busy ... We had a good healthy conversation, honest conversation, look forward to having a few more with him."