Russell Wilson was loathed by one of his newest team-mates at the Denver Broncos, due to his success in the divisional rivalry between former team Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.
Offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey left the 49ers at the end of last season and joined the Broncos on a five-year deal worth a reported $87.5million with over $50m guaranteed. McGlinchey is now team-mates with Wilson after spending three seasons trying to get the better of the quarterback who used to play for the Seahawks.
McGlinchey is 2-7 against teams where Wilson is in the quarterback role, and is therefore happy that he no longer has to face him. The new Broncos OT admitted that he "couldn't stand" Wilson in the past, but feels it's "awesome" to have the roles reversed for the first time since being drafted ninth overall back in 2018.
"For the longest time, I really couldn’t stand Russell because of how many times he beat us," McGlinchey said on Thursday following an OTA practice at Broncos HQ. "To be in the locker room with him and to be able to be in the huddle with him now has been awesome.
"I think Russ, first and foremost, he’s a workhorse. There’s nobody in the building that works harder than him. He’s addicted to this game and he’s addicted to trying to be great.
"And that rubs off on a lot of people and there’s a reason that he’s had the success in this league that he’s had. I’m excited for what we can all do together because I think with Coach [Payton] with us, with the talent that we have on this team, I think that we have a really good shot to help Russ get to even higher heights than he’s been."
McGlinchey even called Wilson a "Hall of Famer" back in March after signing with the Broncos, and feels confident that they can make a statement in the AFC West next season. "I’m very familiar with Russ, playing against him twice a year for four years,’" McGlinchey told Denver’s KUSA in March.
"He’s broken my heart numerous times. I know his game, I know what he’s capable of. He’s a Hall of Famer. And he’s capable of doing great things and winning a lot of games in this league like he did for a decade in Seattle.
"And I think coach Payton and the situation we’re going into is going to elevate his game even more. I know last season didn’t go the way Broncos Country wanted but I think things are going to be a lot different and I’m very excited to get to work with Russ and see what we can do together and how we can make a splash in the AFC."
