GREEN BAY – For a moment, Emanuel Wilson feared his NFL career was over before it really even began.
A small-school standout at Division II Fort Valley State (Ga.), the 5-foot-10, 226-pound running back felt fortunate to sign with the Denver Broncos after going undrafted in 2023.
His window of opportunity lasted just three days, though, as Wilson was released after the team's rookie minicamp. Afraid to be himself, Wilson left feeling as though he hadn't shown who he really was – as a person or a player.
He reflected. He cried. He called his mom, who advised Wilson to write in his journal, pray and let whatever happens…happen.
"Just felt like it was the end of the road for me," Wilson said. "But talking to my agent, talking to God, talking to my mom, God gave me another opportunity."
That opportunity came a week later in the form of a phone call from the Packers, who were in the market for another back. A blessing born of a curse, Wilson later became one of four undrafted rookies to make Green Bay's 53-man roster after leading the NFL with 223 preseason rushing yards.
Coming off another strong performance in Saturday's 23-10 win over Cleveland, the 25-year-old running back is set to return to Denver this weekend to practice and play against his former team.
When asked after practice Tuesday if he still carries a chip on his shoulder, Wilson quietly and humbly replied: "Oh yes. I got a lot of them, honestly."
"The Broncos cut me," Wilson added. "So, I'm going in there with a different mindset, prove a point to them."
A prolific running back at the Division II level, Wilson proved his talent could translate to the NFL last summer. More than just a feelgood preseason story, Wilson rushed for 85 yards on his first 14 regular-season carries before sustaining a shoulder injury against the Los Angeles Chargers last November.
Wilson was cleared in time for Green Bay's playoff run and entered the offseason healthy, allowing him to work with his trainer, Malik Brown, in North Carolina with the goal of being faster, quicker and stronger in pass protection in Year 2.
He sure looked like it in Cleveland, rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, including a 23-yard run buoyed by quarterback Michael Pratt calling to Wilson to bounce outside before throwing a block to free his running back up the sideline.
"He's really, really talented," Pratt said. "He's a really good football player. I think he has great vision and just character-wise, how he interacts in the locker room. He's a really, really good person. We talk all throughout practice. He picks me up. I pick him up."
The Packers locker room has embraced Wilson with open arms. He views AJ Dillon and former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones like older brothers, both of whom helped him get comfortable once he signed with the Packers last season.
While Wilson has only spent a few months with Josh Jacobs, he's enjoyed the time he's spent with two-time Pro Bowl running back. Hardly a day passes that he doesn't bounce a question off Jacobs.
The same applies to the Packers' coaching staff. When Wilson went down with the shoulder last November, Head Coach Matt LaFleur was there to offer a few encouraging words during a discouraging time - a gesture that meant a great deal to the young running back.
"He's really talented and that's obvious, and we're gonna keep pushing him to try to get the most out of him," LaFleur said. "But he's been a great addition to the locker room. He's a great teammate. He's really good in the room. It's funny because I always try to get him to smile each and every day because … he is a quiet guy. It's good to get him to smile."
With his return to Denver this week, Wilson doesn't have revenge on his mind. He holds no ill will towards the Broncos but still would love to show the team what it missed out on by cutting him after just a three-day trial.
Asked what he's proved over the past 15 months, Wilson says all his motivation is internal.
"I felt like I proved to myself that I can do it," Wilson said. "I can be that guy whenever my time comes."
Wilson could have ample opportunities this weekend, especially if rookies MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Jarveon Howard (ankle) can't go after not practicing Tuesday.
Those reps are meaningful, too. Although Wilson made the Packers' roster last year, he's seen firsthand how quickly life can change in the NFL. Having been cut once before, the second-year running back is hungry to keep proving Green Bay was right taking a chance on him.
"It feels good. It feels like they're relying on me a little bit," Wilson said. "I'm just being myself. In the offseason, my trainer stayed on me. He got me to do everything I need to work on. Now I'm just taking it and managing my opportunities the best I can."
