Russell Wilson Era begins for Denver Broncos back in Seattle

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning did not should cope with his emotional return to Indianapolis till he’d been a member of the Denver Broncos for nearly a yr and a half.

No such homecoming honeymoon awaits Russell Wilson.

The Broncos’ new quarterback kicks off the second chapter of his storied profession again in Seattle, the place he led the Seahawks to 2 Tremendous Bowls and a championship parade earlier than his relationship with Pete Carroll soured.

The prime-time matchup on Sept. 12 pits the companions within the largest blockbuster commerce this offseason, one which despatched 5 draft picks and three gamers to Seattle, together with Drew Lock, certainly one of 10 beginning QBs Denver has shuffled by means of over the past six seasons.

Joe Buck stated this was precisely the opening recreation he needed with Troy Aikman and him taking on the “ Monday Evening Soccer ” sales space after a 20-year stint collectively at Fox.

“To have it proper out of the field,” Buck stated, “I believe is superior.”

Wilson thinks so, too.

“I believe it’s going to be an thrilling time,” Wilson stated. “Seattle has meant the world to me over the previous 10 years.”

Denver 7+ Colorado Information Newest Headlines | August 23, 11am

Wilson hasn’t had a foul phrase to say concerning the Seahawks since shifting to Denver, the place he and his spouse, Ciara, purchased a $25 million mansion and instantly turned a star couple about city.

It took some time for Manning to regulate to the Mile Excessive Metropolis, the place he nonetheless lives, after the Colts reduce him in 2012 following a number of neck fusion surgical procedures.

Whereas Manning had a terrific four-year run in Denver, he misplaced three of the 4 occasions he confronted the Colts, beginning with a 39-33 heartbreaker at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 20, 2013, that featured a tear-jerking pregame tribute.

Wilson insists his return to Seattle “needs to be non-emotional” irrespective of if he is cheered as Manning was in Indianapolis or jeered as Brett Favre was in 2019 when he returned to Inexperienced Bay in a purple helmet.

“I’ve all the time type of performed impartial,” Wilson stated. “What I actually consider in is the flexibility to be impartial within the midst of the storm, the midst of chaos, the midst of alternative, the midst of fine issues, good time, and difficult occasions so as to have the ability to play this recreation even-keeled.”

That strategy assist produce a 113-60 document for Wilson in Seattle, together with a 9-7 mark within the playoffs. Wilson has missed the postseason simply twice: in 2017, when the Seahawks went 9-7, and once more final yr when he went 6-8 and a finger damage sidelined him for the primary time in his profession.

After bumbling their approach to a 39-58 document since Tremendous Bowl 50 beneath pedestrian passers, the Broncos are gladly giving Wilson something he desires: his personal private passing coach, therapeutic massage therapist and chef, an workplace at group headquarters, a seat on the desk when GM George Paton builds his roster.

“I discuss to Russ every day and I type of inform him our plan, what we’re searching for, and our wants,” Paton stated earlier than the draft. “Russ is a soccer junky. He’ll wish to know what gamers we’re , and I’ll inform him. He’ll watch them and provides me his opinion. He’s an excellent useful resource.”

Wilson, who has two years left on a contract that pays him $19 million in base wage this season, is only one a part of the large makeover the Broncos underwent this offseason as they modified teaching staffs, house owners and group presidents along with quarterbacks.

“It’s an honor to steward this historic franchise,” Walmart inheritor Rob Walton stated after shopping for the Broncos for $4.65 billion, a document for knowledgeable sports activities group. “Our No. 1 precedence is placing a successful group on the sphere to win Tremendous Bowls.”

And job No. 1 for the brand new possession group is securing Wilson’s long-term providers for one thing within the neighborhood of $300 million over 5 years.

“At this level, nothing to say about his contract,” stated Greg Penner, Walton’s son-in-law, who nonetheless had a lot to say about Wilson’s presence throughout the brand new house owners’ introductory information convention in early August.

“We couldn’t have been extra excited as we had been going by means of the method to see that the group had made the commerce for Russell,” Penner stated. “It’s crucial to have an excellent quarterback on this league and coming on this group with Russell in place is an amazing profit for us.”

Shortly earlier than Wilson’s arrival, first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett injected a jolt of power into the franchise by bringing with him three novice coordinators and an modern strategy to offseason coaching that options numerous relaxation days and no 7-on-7 drills which might be a staple of at the moment’s passing recreation.

Hackett additionally jettisoned the 1-on-1 go dashing drills within the curiosity of science and security, dismissing critics who crushed him on native radio for his “Camp Jog-through” strategy that featured little contact save for a spirited joint observe in opposition to the Cowboys.

“It is completely different than the varsity I grew up in and the issues I assumed had been useful,” stated NFL receiver-turned-radio host Brandon Stokley. “I suppose the proof will probably be within the pudding.”

Win and it is a pattern, lose and it is a fad.

Both means, the Broncos lastly have a high quality quarterback who offers them confidence they will compete once more within the powerful AFC West.

___

Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL