Wilson’s personal coach can’t work at Broncos facility, but he’s still coaching the QB
Jul 17, 2023, 8:01 PM | Updated: 9:32 pm
Jake Heaps isn’t allowed inside the ropes at Broncos training camp. Nor inside the main building at Centura Health Training Center.
But that doesn’t mean Russell Wilson’s long-time personal coach can’t help guide the veteran quarterback. A photo earlier this offseason demonstrated that. And when Wilson and some Broncos teammates ventured to Folsom Field in Boulder to work with Shedeur Sanders and a slew of CU football players, Heaps was right there helping run the show.
Thanks for the Hospitality & letting us @Broncos throw & be around the squad @DeionSanders @CUBuffsFootball #ColoradoLove 💪🏾🏈 https://t.co/ltIIekzqlj
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 18, 2023
Other Broncos on hand included Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Greg Dulcich, Chris Manhertz and longtime staffer Mike Harrington, whose responsibilities since time immemorial include snapping the ball to Broncos QBs.
Russell Wilson connects with Coach Prime and his private workout with Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, Greg Dulcich and Chris Mannhertz run by Jake Heaps & Team 3 at Folsom Field 👇 via @WellOffForever #BroncosCountryhttps://t.co/UfSPqzzyTv
— Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) July 18, 2023
At the 9:05 mark of the video posted by Well Off Media, the camera captures Heaps guiding Wilson through footwork, throw-on-the-run and deep-ball drills as the quarterback back from under center.
Of course, the presence of Heaps and other members of Team Russ became an issue last year as the Broncos’ campaign devolved and Wilson lumbered to the worst season of his 12-year career.
The inside-the-ropes access for Wilson’s crew vanished with Sean Payton’s arrival. Just after Payton’s introductory press conference, the coach made it clear that the unfettered run for Team Russ around Broncos headquarters would vanish.
“That’s foreign to me. That’s not going to take place here,” Payton said that day. “I’m unfamiliar with it, but our staff will be here, our players will be here and that’ll be it.”
But work at Broncos headquarters is still a few days away. And that means Heaps remains the voice in Wilson’s ear.
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