The Seattle Seahawks won’t get a matchup between NFC Pro Bowl quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Drew Brees on Sunday, as Brees will be out for roughly six weeks following a thumb injury sustained last week.
Wilson admitted to modeling a lot of his game after Brees, and had extremely high praise for the future Hall of Famer.
“Drew, he’s probably my favorite player to ever play the game,” Wilson said on Thursday. “I’ve watched a lot of film on him. I’ve studied his game, got to know him over the years. We’ve become close and everything else. I ask him for a lot of advice just about life, about kids and schools and this and that. Obviously, the game too.”
Brees has been named to the Pro Bowl a whopping 12 times in his career, a career that also includes an All-Pro nod, a Super Bowl, and two Offensive Player of the Year awards. At age 40, Brees has not shown any signs of slowing down, although this thumb injury could linger beyond six weeks.
A big part of Brees’ success is his efficiency, as he frequently tops a 70 percent completion rate, something Wilson has long made a goal of his.
One big thing Wilson and Brees have in common is their height, another thing that immediately drew Wilson to Brees when he came into the league.
“I think about his legacy and what he’s meant to the game,” Wilson continued. “He’s helped open up the door for me to play as a shorter quarterback. There’s been some guys before him too that I know he would acknowledge as well. Guys like Doug Flutie as well and others. Steve Young and different players. I think about Drew and his ability to make great plays and just when he’s in the game, he’s a spectacular football player. One of the best to ever step on the field.”
The Seahawks will settle for some combination of Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill under center against them when they take on the Saints on Sunday, Sep. 22 in an attempt to move to 3-0 on the season.
