Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy Shares Thoughts on the New Russell Wilson

What has changed about Russell Wilson since last season's bitter disappointment ended?

Much has been made of the new Russell Wilson. By 'new,' we're talking about the slimmed-down physique of the Denver Broncos' quarterback. 

It's quite clear that Wilson has dropped a few pounds. To what purpose, and by whose decree, is unclear. But could it be that there's more to the notion of a new Wilson? 

Wilson's top target was asked such a question last week during mandatory minicamp. The question was framed to Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as what he's seen as the biggest 'differences' between Wilson last year and now. 

“Russ has still got the same work ethic he’s had his whole career," Jeudy said. "He’s probably just slimmed down a little bit. Other than that, Russ is still being Russ.”

Wilson dished on the topic of his body transformation in his one-and-only press conference since Sean Payton was hired as head coach in Denver. 

“I feel great. I feel lean and mean, ready to go and focused," Wilson said on May 25. "I’m not worried about that… I’m not counting, but all I know is I’m excited to play again.” 

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Coming out of college, Wilson checked in at the 2012 NFL Combine at 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds. The Broncos currently have him listed at 215 pounds. 

As a young pro, Wilson's football body was a work in progress, as it goes with all players. However, there's no doubt that in recent years, he developed more muscle mass in his workout and nutrition regimens. 

But the returns on that added weight haven't been so good. Wilson's availability was one of the marvels of his long, successful reign with the Seattle Seahawks. That's not to say that he never got nicked up, but he expertly avoided the vagaries of the injury bug. 

In 2021, however — his last season in Seattle — Wilson missed significant time for the first time in his career. Counting last season in Denver, Wilson has missed five games over the past two years. This, after not missing a start from 2012-20 (144 straight). 

While Wilson's numbers weren't eye-popping in his final year in Seattle, they didn't meet his typical career standard. In 2022, we saw Wilson's production dwindle to career-lows in touchdown passes (16) and quarterback rating (84.4). 

This brings us to the reality of what Payton has said about his observations of the Broncos' 2022 offensive tape. Studying it, the scathing eye of one of the most prolific offensive coaches of the modern NFL era said that there was "dirt" on many people's hands. 

Wilson was one of them. His alarming regression was fueled by incompetent coaching, organizational mismanagement, and injuries. 

The Broncos worked hard this offseason to solve the two negative influences on Wilson that the team could control. His weight, however, only he can solve, but it likely played a role in his injuries. 

The weight gain could also explain why it seemed that Wilson's once elite footspeed and playmaking ability with his legs had diminished. We saw in the last two games that there is plenty of magic left in those legs, but they're not what they once were. 

Father Time can be blamed in part. But something tells me that Payton himself believed that Wilson's playing weight last year may have had more to do with it. 

In any case, Wilson is blazing ahead and, as Jeudy said, being himself. That constant will be needed as he and his teammates assimilate not only a new playbook, but the philosophies of a new coaching staff. 

Wilson is being coached hard and in some new ways. Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi described how some of Wilson's long-held muscle memory is being retooled by the new Broncos offensive brain trust. 

"There’s some muscle memory that we have to overcome," Lombardi said of Wilson. "He’s used to doing things a certain way and we’re presenting a new way of doing things."

Lombardi also expressed that he's "happy" with Wilson's progress in the new scheme and Payton's way of doing things. If Wilson's social media posts are emblematic of his mindset and work ethic inside Broncos HQ, he could be on the warpath to win back the renown he lost as a result of last year. 

All my life. #RestorationSzn pic.twitter.com/Skd53J8UyE

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 17, 2023

When the dust finally settles on the 2023 season, the 'new' Wilson will probably look a heck of a lot like the 'old' version — the vintage Russ who notched nine Pro Bowls in 10 years, missed the playoffs only twice, and won nine postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVIII. That is what Payton is working overtime to extract from the Broncos' QB. 

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