Russell Wilson says he doesn't feel pressure: 'I look forward to it'

Russell Wilson isn’t feeling any pressure heading into his second season as quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

Wilson, rather, invites the pressure, and all that comes with being one of the highest-paid signal callers in the league coming off a disappointing 2022 campaign.

“Do I feel the pressure? No. I don’t run from it. I look forward to it. I run to it, if anything,” Wilson said Wednesday, via Pro Football Talk. “We as a team, we’re all in this together. We’re all searching for one thing and that’s to get better every day. I’m not looking too far ahead. All the guys are trying to learn as much as we can from today’s practice and use that experience.”

He added: “Pressure is a privilege. For me personally, this will be my 12 year, every time I strap on my pads, I have a heart of gratitude and that frees my mind… I’m grateful. I’m not worried about critics just being the best version of me today.”

Wilson, who inked a five-year, $245 million deal with the Broncos before taking a snap under center in blue and orange, threw for 3,524 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on a career-low 60.5% passing in 15 starts. The Broncos finished with a 5-12 record and had one of the worst offensive teams in the league.

Russell Wilson grateful for opportunity to work with Sean Payton

With head coach Sean Payton now at the helm, the expectation is for Wilson to resemble the quarterback which made him a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks.

“I think Coach Payton has done a tremendous job of bringing us all together and getting us to compete at the highest level,” Wilson said, via Broncos Wire. “… Think for me personally, you go through a journey. I want to play 20-plus years so when you go through that, there’s going to be some tough moments. There’s going to be some highs, there’s going to be some lows and a lot more highs than lows. But I think knowing how to weather storms, take everything and understand that gratitude and love for this game, it never changes. It never waves.

“On your best days or your toughest days, knowing that the best days are ahead. I’m just grateful that I got great people around me. In terms of teammates, the coaching staff and Coach Payton and the rest of the staff has done a tremendous job of teaching us every day. My love for the game never waves — just the passion, the love for being out in between those white lines. I’ve played a lot of football games. I’ve been in a lot of moments and every time I step in between those white lines you feel like a kid all over again. So I’m just grateful.”