Jan 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

If the Denver Broncos are going to reach their lofty goals under first-year coach Sean Payton, then franchise quarterback Russell Wilson will need to look like his old self.

Though they have yet to play a game, Wilson is already looking different than last year in that he showed up to OTA practice clearly having lost some weight.

“I feel great. I feel lean and mean, ready to go and focused,” Wilson said Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated.

Though Wilson obviously put in the work to change his body, he said he’s not counting the exact number of pounds.

“I’m not worried about that,” Wilson said. “I’m not counting… but all I know is I’m excited to play again.”

NFL commentator Pat McAfee of The Pat McAfee Show also noticed the new look, Wilson.

“Didn’t give an exact update on how much weight he’s lost or anything like that, but it’s very apparent that this particular Russell Wilson is different than last year’s Russell Wilson,” McAfee said on his show.

“Now, was Russell Wilson bulking up last year for a reason? Did he think that it would make him a more durable player, a better player? Or did he potentially just not worry about it all as much with everything else going on his life? This year, obviously [it’s] a focal point, and, I think it’s good news for Denver Broncos fans.”

Broncos fans will certainly hope that’s the case.

[Sports Illustrated]