Russell Wilson entered June without a team or a clear path back onto the field. The 37-year-old was a free agent after a difficult 2025 season with the New York Giants.
He started three games for the Giants before rookie Jaxson Dart took over. Wilson later fell behind Jameis Winston on the depth chart, finishing with 831 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Now, his next step will not be on the field. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilson is set to join CBS Sports as an analyst, putting his playing career on pause, at least for now.
Russell Wilson swaps NFL role for CBS Sports desk
Schefter reports that Wilson is finalising a deal to join CBS’ pregame coverage team, alongside James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher.
That does not officially close the door on a return, as Ian Rapoport reported Wilson had an offer to be a backup in 2026, while the Jets were linked earlier this offseason. But it does feel like a significant shift.
Wilson once led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title, reached another, and became one of his generation’s most productive quarterbacks.
He also earned 10 Pro Bowl selections, won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and built his reputation on efficiency, mobility and late-game playmaking.
The later years were less smooth. Denver never got the version of Wilson it expected, Pittsburgh was brief, and his Giants stint ended quickly.
Even so, Wilson’s perspective should bring real insight to television. If this is just a pause, he has time to reconsider. If it is the end, CBS gets a champion with plenty to explain.
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