Russell Wilson has announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons, marking the end of a career highlighted by a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson, who was a 10-time Pro Bowler and the 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, shared this news through a video on social media.
Originally a third-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson rose to prominence as one of the league’s most notable quarterbacks. His career stats include an impressive 46,966 passing yards and 353 total touchdowns. Wilson played for several teams including the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants.
Wilson’s decision to retire came soon after he was rumored to have finalized a deal to join CBS Sports as an NFL analyst. Speculation surrounded his future in the sport after this news emerged. In his social media video, Wilson reflected on his football journey and confirmed his new role with CBS Sports. He shared memories from his earliest days playing the game, citing a growing passion that turned into an obsession over the years.
Wilson’s NFL career began with a strong start following his college success at NC State and Wisconsin. In his first season, he led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record, quickly making the team a formidable force in the NFC.
Supported by the ‘Legion of Boom’ defense, Wilson and the Seahawks secured a commanding 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, earning Wilson his first Vince Lombardi Trophy. After only his second season, Wilson had secured his future as a leading quarterback for Seattle. In his retirement announcement, Wilson expressed gratitude to head coach Pete Carroll for believing in him despite skepticism about his stature.
Though Wilson didn’t clinch another Super Bowl title, he remained a powerful figure in the league. A notable moment was the loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIV following a controversial play call that resulted in a game-sealing interception.
Throughout 10 seasons with Seattle, Wilson amassed 37,059 passing yards and 292 touchdowns, with a career record of 104-53-1. To the Seattle fans, Wilson declared in his video that they had ‘raised him.’
After his trade to the Broncos in 2022, Wilson faced challenges, including conflicts with head coach Sean Payton. His first season in Denver ended with a 4-11 record, and after a 7-8 season in 2023, the Broncos decided to move on.
Wilson joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season, achieving a 6-5 record and earning his 10th Pro Bowl appearance. However, the Steelers were eliminated in the Wild Card Round.
The New York Giants signed Wilson for the 2025 season, anticipating him as a mentor for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. After three starts in the season, Dart took over the starting position. Wilson spoke fondly of mentoring Dart throughout the transition.
Throughout his career, Wilson cherished the connections with his coaches, teammates, and fans. In his retirement message, he thanked everyone who contributed to his journey, emphasizing the significance of their support.