Peyton Manning advising Russell Wilson after trade to Broncos

Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning spent the first 14 seasons of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts before those two entities parted ways in 2012. Manning then joined the Denver Broncos and guided them to a Super Bowl victory before he rode off into the sunset of retirement in March 2016. 

Manning, thus, has a pretty good idea about the transition one-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson is making this spring. Wilson has only played for the Seattle Seahawks since they selected him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but he recently completed a move to the Broncos via a blockbuster trade that became official on the first day of the new league year last month. 

It was reported in March that Wilson reached out to Manning before he signed off on that trade, and Manning spoke with the Denver Post’s Ryan O’Halloran (h/t NFL.com) about their relationship. 

"I've talked to Russell a number of times, and we've had conversations about some of the things that helped me in my transition to a different team that I think can apply to anybody making the jump, especially after being in a place for a long time," Manning explained. "(I've had) conversations with Coach (Nathaniel) Hackett as well about some of those things, maybe some do's, and don'ts that helped me and can certainly apply and Russell can hit the ground running here in his first year."

Manning also offered high praise for Wilson. 

"Just his leadership and his work ethic — you start there and then you obviously get to the abilities and talents on the field," Manning added about the 33-year-old. "His ability to scramble out of the pocket and also make every throw from within the pocket -- that's something that is unique. And then the fact he's going to work very hard to get his timing down with his receivers."

Assuming Wilson is fully recovered from the injury to the middle finger on his throwing hand that cost him playing time last fall, the Broncos will likely be contenders to compete for more than just a playoff berth during the 2022 season.