Denver ? Steve Beuerlein thought his 16-year NFL career was over at the end of last season. Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan convinced him otherwise.

Shanahan visited Beuerlein in his North Carolina home during the offseason, urging him to return for one more season as the Broncos’ backup quarterback. Beuerlein agreed.

“From the last snap of the last game against Arizona last year, I really felt like I was probably done,” Beuerlein said. “Not because I physically was done. I feel like I could play two or three more years in the right situation. But it’s hard on the family going back and forth. As a backup quarterback, it was kind of hard to justify putting your family through that.

“It meant a heck of a lot to me that Mike made the effort to come out and let me know how important I was to this organization. He made it clear that I fit into their plans. Their loyalty to me and how good they’ve been to me was a big factor.”

Beuerlein, 38, started three games last season, including the season finale. He completed 68 of 117 passes for 925 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.

“I know I can still play,” he said during the team’s weekend minicamp. “I really believe that I still have some fire in me. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror and comfortably say that I don’t want to play anymore.

“Then coming in here and seeing the guys and having everybody happy to see me, that made me realize that this is still fun, that this is what I want to do for another year.”

When the Broncos indicated they would release starting quarterback Brian Griese, Beuerlein had fleeting hopes of returning in 2003 as the starter.

But he realized that wasn’t likely, and the Broncos signed Jake Plummer as their starter on March 5.

Asked about his role this season, Beuerlein said, “I see myself as doing what I’ve always done, just being a veteran who has been around for a long time and knows how to play the game and who I think is respected as a pretty good leader in the locker room, a guy who’s good to have on the team. My personality will take care of the rest.

“Jake and I will work great together. He knows already that I’ll do whatever I can do to help him. I want him to do well. I think it would be a great situation for the Broncos if he does well.”