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After 14 years, 10 Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl, Russell Wilson is hanging up his cleats. The former Seahawks, Broncos, Steelers and Giants quarterback announced his intent to retire on Wednesday, two days after reports emerged that Wilson would be joining CBS Sports' broadcast crew as a pundit.
Wilson, 37, is one of the NFL's greatest-ever passers, ranking inside the top 20 in passes completed, passing yards and passing touchdowns. His 99.3 career passer rating is the fifth-highest mark in NFL history. While the final few years of his career proved a bit sour, there's no doubt that Wilson will be seeing his countenance in Canton before long.
With that, here's what you need to know about Wilson's decision to call it quits after 14 years in the league.
MORE: Why Russell Wilson spurned Jets, other NFL QB options for CBS Sports TV analyst job
Why is Russell Wilson retiring?
Wilson announced his retirement on social media on Wednesday, spelling an end to a 14-year career in football's top flight.
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 3, 2026Wilson's retirement appeared imminent after news broke Monday revealing that Wilson is set to join CBS Sports as an analyst. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Wilson will be on the CBS desk during the network's national pregame show hosted by James Brown.
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In May, Wilson told the New York Post in May that he was weighing an offer from the New York Jets and a TV offer, though his NFL offers at this point were limited to backup roles.
Wilson still appears to have passion for the gridiron — he weighed his options until the bitter end, attempting to find a starting role somewhere on the NFL landscape. Ultimately, NFL front offices deemed that Wilson was better-equipped to serve as a backup, a designation Wilson appears to have bristled at.
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Life for a backup quarterback can be cushy, especially if the player one is backing up is a supernova like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. However, for a longtime starter like Wilson, that could have felt like a dereliction of all he has accomplished over the course of his glittering career.
Television, while failing to recreate the uber-competitive environment of an NFL locker room, pays well, particularly for a person with Wilson's charm and candor. Ultimately, it appears that Wilson preferred the financial stability of a lucrative broadcasting gig over the uncertainty that comes with playing backup quarterback in the NFL.
How old is Russell Wilson?
Born on Nov. 29, 1988, Wilson is 37 years old. He was one of the oldest quarterbacks in the league during the 2025 season, starting just three games before making way in favor of Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart.
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