Broncos' Russell Wilson indicates he's not thinking about retirement after 35th birthday
Even though Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson turned 35 on Wednesday, he insists he isn't approaching the end of his career.
"I still got a little speed," Wilson said in a Wednesday news conference. "Every day, I get up, I keep my body moving and working out. I think the biggest thing is that I have an obsession and passion for this game."
Wilson has previously said he wants to play until he's 45, like future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. However, Brady is in rare company. Per NFL.com, he's one of 15 QBs who started after they turned 40.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton admitted he's not sure if Wilson can play that long but noticed he has a consistent routine, which is vital.
"I don't see age with players like Russ," Payton told the media on Wednesday. "I wouldn't have guessed how old he was. He takes care of his body; he works out extremely diligently and hard, and I think that's necessary when you're playing at this level."
Regardless, Wilson has rebounded from an abysmal 2022 season and reestablished himself as a franchise QB. The nine-time Pro Bowler leads the league in fourth-quarter comebacks (four) and is tied for fifth in passing TDs (20).
The Broncos (6-5) have won five straight games for the first time since 2015 and could still make the playoffs. If they beat the Houston Texans on Sunday, the New York Times Simulator gives them a 50 percent chance to make the postseason.
Wilson turning the corner is good for Denver. In 2022, it dealt two first-rounders (and more) to acquire the former Seattle star and gave him a five-year, $242.5M extension, hoping he would end the franchise's seven-year playoff drought.
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