What Happened to Russell Carrington Wilson?
Russell Wilson is an American former professional football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won Super Bowl XLVIII. After stints with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants, Wilson retired from the NFL in June 2026 to begin a career as a sportscaster with CBS Sports.
Quick Answer
Russell Wilson retired from the NFL in June 2026 after a 14-season career that included a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks. His final playing years saw him with the Denver Broncos (2022-2023), Pittsburgh Steelers (2024), and New York Giants (2025), where he experienced a decline in performance and was benched. As of August 2026, Wilson has transitioned into a new role as a sportscaster for CBS Sports, joining their Sunday pregame show.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Drafted by Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Wins Super Bowl XLVIII
Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to a dominant 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, securing the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Signs First Major Extension with Seahawks
Wilson agreed to a four-year, $87.6 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.
Becomes Highest-Paid NFL Player
Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Seahawks, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.
Awarded Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Wilson received the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding community service and playing excellence.
Traded to Denver Broncos
After a decade in Seattle, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster deal.
Signs Massive Extension with Broncos
Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos, including $165 million guaranteed.
Benched by Denver Broncos
Wilson was benched by the Broncos for the final two games of the 2023 season, signaling the end of his tenure in Denver.
Released by Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos announced they would release Russell Wilson, incurring an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap money.
Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson signed a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season.
Earns 10th Pro Bowl Selection
Despite the Steelers' Wild Card loss, Wilson earned his tenth career Pro Bowl selection for his performance during the 2024 season.
Signs with New York Giants
Wilson signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the New York Giants.
Benched by New York Giants
After an 0-3 start to the season, Wilson was benched by the Giants in favor of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Announces NFL Retirement
Russell Wilson officially announced his retirement from the National Football League after a 14-year career.
Joins CBS Sports as Sportscaster
Following his retirement, Wilson accepted a role as a sportscaster for CBS Sports, joining their Sunday pregame show.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Russell Wilson's NFL career, spanning 14 seasons, was marked by significant highs and a challenging latter half before his retirement in 2026. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012, Wilson quickly established himself as a dual-threat quarterback, leading the team to its first Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. He earned nine Pro Bowl selections during his decade with the Seahawks and was recognized as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2020.
In March 2022, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster deal and subsequently signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension with $165 million guaranteed. However, his tenure in Denver was largely unsuccessful, with the Broncos' offense struggling significantly in 2022. After being benched near the end of the 2023 season, Wilson was released by the Broncos in March 2024, resulting in an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap money spread over two seasons for the franchise.
Following his release from Denver, Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season. He played 11 games, throwing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, and earned his tenth Pro Bowl selection. The Steelers made the playoffs but were eliminated in the AFC Super Wild Card game. In 2025, Wilson moved to the New York Giants on a one-year, $10.5 million contract. He began the season as the starting quarterback but was benched after an 0-3 start in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart, eventually being demoted to third-string. He finished the 2025 season with 831 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in six appearances.
As of 2026, Wilson faced a decision between continuing his playing career, potentially as a backup for teams like the New York Jets, or transitioning to a media role. On June 3, 2026, Russell Wilson announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons. He subsequently accepted an offer to join CBS Sports as a sportscaster, becoming part of their Sunday pregame show team. This move marks a significant career pivot for the former Super Bowl champion, who concluded his playing career as the only quarterback with both 40,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Russell Carrington Wilson made different choices?