On Monday, it was reported Russell Wilson would spend the 2026 season as an analyst for CBS. That news obviously suggested his playing days were over, and that has now been confirmed.
On Wednesday, Wilson posted a video to social media announcing his retirement. The 37-year-old initially expressed a desire to play in 2026, and he received an offer from the Jets. Instead of serving as a backup for another campaign, though, Wilson will turn his attention to broadcasting.
Today’s announcement marks the expected end to a playing career which began with tempered expectations. As a third-round pick, Wilson was far from certain to serve as a capable long-term replacement for Matt Hasselbeck, whose Seattle tenure ended in 2010. As things turned out, though, the franchise enjoyed a sustained run of success under head coach Pete Carroll. His work and that of the ‘Legion of Boom’ on defense was of course critical to the Seahawks’ strong play, but Wilson was a foundational player as well.
Taking on QB1 duties as a rookie and never losing them over the course of his time in the Emerald City, Wilson helped lead Seattle to eight playoff appearances. That stretch included back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl; the Seahawks comfortably won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Broncos and nearly came out on top the following year against the Patriots. Replicating those deep postseason runs proved to be a challenge Carroll’s Seahawks were unable to meet, but Wilson continued to provide the team with strong play over a decade in Seattle.
From the start of his career, Wilson was recognized as a perennial Pro Bowler, earning invitations to the event in nine of 10 seasons with the Seahawks. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2019 after finishing the year with 31 touchdowns to just five interceptions despite getting sacked a league-leading 48 times that season. He departed Seattle as the franchise-leader in passing yards, touchdowns, and several other statistical categories.
Wilson’s time with the Seahawks came to an end after the 2021 NFL season, when he was packaged with a fourth-round pick and shipped off to Denver in exchange for two first- and second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant. Over two years with the Broncos, Westbrook struggled to produce as he followed up his only losing season as a starter in Seattle with two more in Denver.
After getting released, Wilson signed with the Steelers, going 6-5 as a starter after missing the first six games of the season and earning Pro Bowl honors one last time. He began the following year as a starter for the Giants, before ultimately ceding his job to Jaxson Dart. He failed to go out on top, but for a third-round quarterback, winning a Super Bowl, making 10 Pro Bowls, winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and cementing himself as a top player in Seahawks history is a pretty good résumé. He’ll look now to expand his accomplishments on air.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Super Bowl winner. Tons of millions made. Beautiful wife. Dude won
Not a bad life.
Not bad at all
I’m glad he’s retiring so we can go back to appreciating the things that were good about his early years.
I wonder if Rodgers is paying attention…
Annoying at times and not the best look in his declining years, but that’s a lot of guys. Amazing career for an undersized third round quarterback, very fun to watch at his best, and a key figure in one of the best teams in recent decades.
Deinver Btoncod, let’s ride.
His Bronco days were annoying at best, quite obnoxious at worst.
I found the first year quite humorous
Wilson was much better his second year in Denver but Payton wanted his own young QB to develop.
3 years too late
He was a stud with Seattle, should be an HOFer.
Biggest joke of a QB in history besides Ryan Leaf
I thought you were talking about Matt Flynn.
I try to use Matt Flynn anytime I can, that man turned one 6TD game into a 25M contract or so, but I think half was guaranteed. And of course, in line with historical wtf moves. Seattle trades to Oakland for 2 picks, I think a 4th and 5th or something like that. but the fact they found a suitor is amazing.
Jamaica Russell says your wrong
There is absolutely no way he is making it into the HOF.
Maybe..maybe not but has a ring. Many in the HOF can’t say that.
At best hall of pretty good. No chance at the hall of fame though.
Thanks Russell
During the 2015-2018 stretch, he was doing things I never seen QB’s do on the field. I think in 2017 he scored every Seahawks TD except for 2.. Solid guy, sucks that his fall off was vicious. Enjoy the retirement ! Give him a ring for this year since he netted the Hawks all those players for the SB run
I hadcto look it up again..crazy season. He threw for 34 touchdowns. Rushed for 3. Team only scored 38 total..one man scoring machine.
Retirement..let’s ride
“Westbrook struggled to produce”
Both started in Seattle but now only one might have a chance to return.
I was gonna say it if you didn’t, how did the name Westbrook even end up in there? 🤣
Was fun to watch.
Good Luck Russell!
He had many great games but one i always remember was the 2025 playoff game against Panthers. Game in Carolina. Watched it at a packed casino. Panthers built 31-0 halftime lead, place dead quiet. Second half team and Russell turned it on. Ended up losing 31-24 but the comeback attempt was incredible. The casino crowd was going crazy,
Had Lockette taken his pass into the endzone against NE instead of watching Butler take it, everyone would still be talking about Wilson taking that NFC Championship game away from Rodgers and the Packers.
If you watch the Giants – Cowboys game last year, he still has some good football left. I guess retirement is better than degrading yourself with the Jets.
It is, after all, the Jets.
One of the most underrated quarterbacks in recent memory but it was obvious he stopped loving football and was more concerned about his career after football. He stopped playing to win and started playing not to get hurt.