The two men talk quite a bit. They chatted after the win over the Titans, and Wilson sent Johnson a text ahead of the Broncos' game vs. the Chiefs. Johnson said Wilson has told him if he stays humble and keeps playing hard, things will fall into the place for the second-year linebacker.

Wilson offers advice because he's lived a Pro Bowl career — and Johnson has listened. Johnson said he tries to mimic Wilson's passion for the game.

"Anybody that meets him, you're going to like him," Johnson said. "Just his personality. He's a great guy, he's caring and he's hardworking on the field. He was passionate about the game. That's one of the things I try to be. Him being passionate about the game, it just brings out more in you and it shows in the way he played. He played with a lot of intensity, having fun out there celebrating. I try to model that."

He's also grateful that he's had the chance to connect with one of the best players in both Tennessee and Denver Broncos history.

"That's something real cool to follow in somebody's footsteps that you look up to," Johnson said. "Some guys look up to people on other teams and they never had the chance to go to their school or play on the same team as them. I got to go to the same school and now I'm playing at the same pro team."

And for as much as the connection means to Johnson, it may mean even more to Wilson to hear that Johnson considers him a mentor.

"It's a humbling feeling," Wilson said. "It's a very humbling feeling. It lets me know I'm getting older, that's for sure. It's one of those things that it gives you an appreciation for how you played the game. I tried to go out and just compete at a high level and give my teammates everything I could week in and week out. For him to try to model his game after mine, that means a lot to me. That means a lot to me.