Russell Wilson Announces NFL Retirement with Emotional Farewell Message
At the end of April, reports surfaced that quarterback Russell Wilson had met with the New York Jets and was “being considered” to back up Geno Smith next season.
Last November, well after he had been benched by the New York Giants, Wilson expressed to reporters that he’s “still got it” and stated explicitly, “I still want to keep playing football.” So, while he hadn’t looked like a starting NFL quarterback since departing the Seattle Seahawks for the Denver Broncos in March 2022, Wilson seemed determined to be in a quarterback room somewhere for the 2026 season.
Wilson seemed less confident in his football future in early May. He disclosed to the New York Post he had an offer from the Jets, but “I also have an opportunity to do TV.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Wilson was “finalizing” a contract to replace Matt Ryan as an NFL analyst on “NFL Today” for CBS Sports. “It is unclear if Wilson is retiring as a player or simply taking a pause on his playing career,” ESPN relayed.
Wilson clarified it all by announcing his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday.
Wilson posted a 3-plus-minute video montage of his NFL career alongside the message, “Thank You, Football. Love, #3.”
Wilson, 37, narrated the emotional video. He confirmed he will be joining “NFL Today.” He thanked all of his past coaches - naming Pete Carroll specifically - and all of his past teammates. He thanked “every fan who supported me,” the city of Seattle, his late father, his mother, his siblings, his children, and his wife, Ciara.
Wilson ended the video by saying, “I thank you, football. I thank you, I thank you, I thank you. I am forever grateful. Love, 3.”
The Seahawks selected Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and they reached the Super Bowl in his second year as a starter. Seattle won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Broncos in February 2014, but fell short of becoming back-to-back champions to the New England Patriots on a now-infamous Wilson interception to Malcolm Butler at the goal line with 22 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX.
At his peak in Seattle, Wilson was one of the more exciting quarterbacks in modern NFL history. He unraveled as soon as he arrived in Denver - in perhaps the most shocking, abrupt fall-offs we’ve ever seen from a non-injured quarterback in his early 30s. The Broncos finished below .500 in both seasons with Wilson under center, and they cut him in March 2024.
Wilson subsequently signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and had his moments, but was clearly limited. His final act was starting the Giants’ first three games last year before getting benched in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart.
Overall, Wilson walks away with a 121-80-1 regular-season record, 46,966 passing yards, 353 touchdowns, 114 interceptions, 10 Pro Bowl selections, and one Super Bowl ring across 14 seasons.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM.