Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson turns 35 years old today (Nov. 29, 2023).
But there’s no reason to fret, Broncos fans. If the veteran quarterback has his way, Wilson still has another decade of football on deck.
In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel last year, Wilson said he wants to play until he’s 45 years old (he’s under contract with Denver through his age-40 season).
“It’s a lifestyle,” Wilson said when Kimmel asked the QB about the time and resources it takes to stay in top physical condition. “When you’re trying to play as long as I’m trying to play — I’m trying to play until 45 — the mentality, the focus level, everything you do has to be surrounded around that. It’s been an amazing journey for me so far.”
Tom Brady, who retired at age 45, was the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl, so that’s likely the blueprint Wilson is aiming to follow.
Wilson will hope that Brady was not an outlier. Having previously won a Super Bowl at age 25 in 2013, Wilson will now hope to join the list of above-35-year-old quarterbacks who have won an NFL championship.
Here’s a quick look at the oldest quarterbacks in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
1
43: Tom Brady
(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
Tom Brady was the oldest quarterback to ever win a title, winning Super Bowl 55 in 2020.
2
41: Tom Brady
(Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Brady also won a title at age 41, winning Super Bowl 53 in 2018.
3
39: Peyton Manning and Tom Brady
Peyton Manning (Super Bowl 50 in 2015) and Brady (Super Bowl 51 in 2016) both won Super Bowls in their age-39 seasons.
4
38: John Elway
(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
John Elway was 38 when he won Super Bowl 33 in 1998, which set a then-record that has since been broken multiple times.
5
37: Elway, Brady and Johnny Unitas
(Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
Elway (Super Bowl 32 in 1997), Brady (Super Bowl 49 in 2014) and Johnny Unitas (Super Bowl 5 n 1970) all won titles in their age-37 seasons.
6
35: Roger Staubach
(Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
Roger Staubach won Super Bowl 12 in 1977 at age 35, the same age Wilson is now.
7
34: Four quarterbacks
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Matthew Stafford (Super Bowl 56 in 2021), Brad Johnson (Super Bowl 37 in 2002), Len Dawson (Super Bowl 4 in 1969) and Bart Starr (Super Bowl 2 in 1976) all won Super Bowls at age 34.
8
Can Russell Wilson join them?
(Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Nine Super Bowls have featured a winning quarterback aged 35 or older. After winning a Super Bowl early in his career, Wilson will now attempt to become the 10th quarterback to win it all at 35-plus.
