Even as the once-great Russell Wilson got pushed from team to team, one quality separated him from the rest: His boundless optimism in the face of adversity. Calling himself the ‘Energizer Bunny’ on multiple occasions, that same quality was on full display when the Denver Broncos cut him, deciding $85 million in dead money was better than him on the roster, and the Pittsburgh Steelers refused to re-sign him, instead opting for 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, despite the New York Giants agreeing to pay him (a staggering $21 million in a one-year deal), it was soon clear that Wilson would have to cling to hope once again.

Just after three games, all upsets, the 13-year veteran lost the starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart, a move touted as a recipe for disaster for the quarterback room dynamics. But instead of resentment, Wilson has made sure the world knows why he’s perfect as Mr. Unlimited.

“What’s amazing about the room is that the personalities are amazing,” said Wilson on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast when asked about the Giants’ signal callers. “Energy is always high. But what’s amazing about the room is our work ethic. It was top-notch every day. There was no slacking off. ‘Let’s be ready to go, let’s be ready to work.’ And I think we set the bar high, doing that every day. I try to set the bar high. I think Jameis [Winston] does a good job of that as well.

“Jaxson’s a great competitor, and obviously shows that on the field, how he plays. It was always fun. It was always joy even in the midst of the storms and the tough stuff.”

And this appreciation isn’t just coming on paper after a carefully crafted media training session. The 10x Pro Bowler was just as endearing in actuality. Take Jaxson Dart’s predicament, for example. Wilson was the first person to reach out to Dart after the latter was unexpectedly thrust into a starting position in a season that was supposed to developmental.

“From his perspective, losing the starting job was a hard thing to do, but, he was the first person to reach out to me after I talked to the coaches about it, just telling me he’s got my back,” Dart revealed at the time. “Saying he’s here for me and whatever I need. That just spoke volumes to the kind of character that he has and the kind of man he is.”

And not just that. Since then, the two quarterbacks have steadily gone from being just teammates to developing an endearing mentor-mentee relationship, too.

“Coming into this thing, you never know how the veterans will react to having a young quarterback drafted high underneath them,” Dart revealed last year. “I was definitely curious, too. But from the moment I got here, Russ has been nothing but just an amazing person, a great teammate, a really good mentor. He really cares about football. He has an obsession, an addiction to the game. He just wants to win, and he’ll do whatever that takes as a teammate, whether he’s on the field or off the field.”

Wilson, on the other hand, once mentioned how they arrived early in the morning, trained, and left the facility late, after watching movies together. Reportedly, he also organized a dinner with the quarterbacks, offensive linemen and running backs in May last year, along with throwing sessions with different players to ensure team coordination both on and off the field.

The Giants had an underwhelming 4-13 season, but the Super Bowl winner had nothing but praise for the other quarterbacks. Despite three starts, Wilson spent most of the season as the third QB. Wilson had a season to forget, but one game in particular made a strong case for his role model pedigree.

Against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, he completed 73.2% of his passes for 450 passing yards and three touchdowns. The performance highlighted that he was ready to roll whenever the team needed him.

Similarly, despite it being Dart’s rookie season, he recorded 2,272 passing yards with a pass completion rate of almost 64% and 15 touchdown passes. He also had 9 rushing touchdowns for 487 rushing yards, highlighting his dual-threat capabilities. This was perhaps made possible as a result of a positive locker room, with Wilson’s guidance.

But that being said, as things stand, Wilson may not be in the same locker room in the upcoming season. He will soon enter free agency as his one-year contract is nearing its end. With clouds of retirement lingering over his head, the veteran revealed his retirement plan on the podcast.

Russell Wilson talks about retirement

The speculations of Russell Wilson’s retirement have soared high.  However, the veteran quarterback is not ready to be called a former quarterback just yet. He clarified his stance on retirement from the NFL on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast.

“I’ve been in a heavyweight fight, meaning it’s been 14 rounds,” said Wilson. “I feel like I’ve won 11 of them, and I feel like I’ve lost maybe the last couple. But it doesn’t mean I won’t win 15 and 16. That’s kind of been my mentality.”

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Wilson in 2012. Since then, he has been one of the top quarterbacks the league has ever seen. The future Hall of Fame quarterback won Super Bowl XLVIII. He spent ten seasons in Seattle before joining the Broncos. After two seasons there, he joined the Steelers before ultimately coming to New York.

His 14 rounds, meaning the 14 seasons he played in the NFL, might not be the end of it all.

Since leaving the Seahawks, Wilson has only had one postseason nod. He had his moments to shine for the Steelers, but the team lost in the Wild Card Round to the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. As for the Giants, he was reduced to a backup. Being a top-tier QB, he would surely want to win and leave the sport with a victory. Perhaps that is a reason why hanging up his cleats is the last thing on his mind.

In fact, he said something similar in January.

“I’m not blinking,” Wilson said. “I know what I’m capable of. I think I showed that in Dallas, and I want to be able to do that again. You know, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.”

According to Wilson, he will not only return for his 15th season but also for his 16th, if things go well. With his contract running out, it remains to be seen which franchise offers him the ticket to his 15th season.