Here’s how Russell Wilson is showing a Peyton Manning-like attention to detail

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When the Broncos’ defense walked into the conditioning area behind the Broncos’ weight room for a walk-through on Wednesday, they had a surprise.

Russell Wilson was there.

Standing with coach Nathaniel Hackett, the new quarterback was studying the Broncos’ defense.

“We have, like, a little period where we go and do walk-throughs in the gym, in the back room, and he was in there watching. He didn’t have to be there. He was sitting back there with the head coach, and they both were just sitting out there, watching,” cornerback Ronald Darby said. “He likes to pick up on everything.

“They’re out there right now. They just work hard. They study a lot.”

So, if by some chance you were worried about whether Hackett and Wilson would lead only the offense, and not just the full team, take heart. Their leadership extends beyond just one side of the football.

To what level does Wilson go with his thoroughness? Consider this: He moves about Broncos headquarters in his football pants. Wearing them isn’t just a practice or game-time thing.

“He’s the same every day. He’s in here, got his football pants on walking around,” Darby said. He’s ready to work! He’s ready to work.”

It’s rubbing off on his teammates.

“I’m going to start putting mine on early now that I see him doing it, start walking in the cafeteria with my football pants,” Darby said.

With an attention to detail not seen from a Broncos quarterback since the salad days of Peyton Manning, Wilson is watching everything — and listening to everything, too. Like Manning, Wilson wants to be a resource for whoever needs him, to make sure that they’re on the same page.

That suits wide receiver KJ Hamler.

“Just being in his ear,” Hamler said. “Always asking him questions. Just basically being a sponge and absorbing stuff, because Russ wants stuff very specific — ‘I want it in this spot, at this time, this area.’”

Wilson wants it that way. And given how much more productive, prolific and successful he has been than the Broncos in their post-Manning haze, the Broncos are quite willing to listen to — and follow — their new franchise quarterback.