Russell Wilson details his continued relationship with Peyton Manning on and off the field

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Coming off the worst year of his career, Russell Wilson has had a tremendous resource to draw from after the Broncos hired Sean Payton early in the offseason.

“We have a coach in Coach Payton that’s been one of the best offensive play callers of all-time,” Wilson stated on Tuesday, following the Broncos’ 12th training camp practice.

Payton’s 15-year career leading the New Orleans Saints certainly provides backing to Wilson’s strong claim. In nine seasons with the Saints, Payton led a Top 5 offense in the NFL.

But there’s another Hall-of-Fame Peyton that Wilson continues to draw from as well.

“Peyton Manning’s been a mentor for me for many years,” Wilson said on Tuesday, confirming he still picks the brain of the Hall-of-Fame quarterback. “A guy that I’ve really look up to — how he’s gone about his business, how he’s gone about the game of football. He’s a top echelon when it comes to quarterbacks in the game of football obviously. What he’s done, it’s truly remarkable. But he’s a better person, you know? That’s what makes him great.”

When Wilson was traded to the Broncos 17 months ago, Russell and Peyton’s relationship became well-known nationally, including Wilson posting a picture of the two looking at film together.

But when Sean Payton took over, he made it clear that what happened last year was not going to take place this year. In fact, Payton told USA Today, “Everything I heard about last season, we’re doing the opposite,” in terms of how the team operates.

There was clearly, and wisely, an exception for Peyton Manning.

“I’ve really relied on him a lot to get his knowledge about the game of football, but more,” Wilson continued, detailing his relationship with Manning. “We’re both competitors. We’re both guys that love to win. We’ve done a lot of winning throughout our years. He’s a guy that I’ve looked up to since I was little.”

In the first decade of their respective careers, no quarterbacks in NFL history have had more wins than Manning and Wilson.

Donning a bucket hat, No. 18 was out at Broncos practice on Tuesday, chatting with Greg Penner during practice and catching up with Sean Payton after.

“Obviously, he’s such an important figure, not just the country, but obviously the city of Denver and how much he means,” Wilson added.

As Russell Wilson looks to have a bounce-back season and become an important figure in Broncos history, he continues to rely on Peyton Manning.