Denver Broncos training camp officially started on July 27, but their wide receivers have been grinding since long before.

Just a few days after joining the Broncos back in March, Russell Wilson hosted the team’s quarterbacks and receivers for a week of practice at his San Diego training facility.

Throughout the offseason, he’s documented the unofficial team workouts on social media.

It’s no secret that Wilson has a staunch, borderline obsessive, work ethic. It’s something he brought from Seattle to Denver and has filtered down to his teammates.

In a recent piece, Peter King laid it out perfectly: “Last Thursday, 7 a.m., Broncos training camp, indoor turf field. Players have to be at training camp at 8, but this 7 a.m. meeting has become a regular camp thing. No coaches out here except coach Russell Wilson, working with the 17 wide receivers and tight ends on the roster.”

Massive panic arose in Broncos Country after the team lost Tim Patrick for all of 2022 to an ACL injury. The question became, “Who will step up to replace him?”

Multiple on-the-bubble receivers answered the call in Denver’s first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien were in at quarterback, and yet, the youngsters showed out.

Kendall Hinton started things off with a drop but turned it around and never looked back. He finished with three receptions and 53 yards. This included a spectacular touchdown in the back corner of the end zone. Hinton also made a superb catch for 23 yards towards the end of the first half to help set up a field goal.

Seth Williams grabbed the team’s first touchdown of the game on a 19-yard reception. He secured all four of his targets.

Before leaving the game, Brandon Johnson was leading the team in yards with 64. His most impressive play was a 40-yard reception despite being in tight coverage.

Jalen Virgil came out of the game as the stats leader. He finished with the most receiving yards on either team, with 83 on just three receptions. Virgil also had the longest reception of the day when he came down with a 42-yarder.

Like King said, “Wilson has given this team, this organization, this region a giant shot of adrenaline this summer.”

Although he didn’t play a single snap in their first preseason game, it’s hard not to give credit to Wilson. His intense preparation has completely changed the organization’s culture and raised expectations.

While it’s nearly impossible to replace someone as talented as Patrick, Broncos Country should breathe relief after watching that game. While it’s still just a preseason game, it’s clear that Wilson has helped prepare the receiving depth chart in case of a crisis.

“He’s a machine,” general manager George Paton told King. “You don’t really understand it until you see his car here at 5:30 in the morning and then see him roaming the halls at nine at night.”

We may not see Wilson in any of the Broncos three preseason games, but it’s clear he’s the tide lifting all ships for the team. And that may mean the first time we see the superstar quarterback on the field for the orange and blue is Monday, Sept. 12 against the Seahawks and Drew Lock in Seattle.

That season-opening Monday Night Football game is set to be a great one.