Why is Russell Wilson retiring? Super Bowl champion QB hanging it up after 14-year NFL career

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.

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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.

Wilson'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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How many teams has Russell Wilson played for?

Wilson turned out for four different teams across his 14-year career: Seattle, Denver, Pittsburgh and New York.

The NC State alum enjoyed his most success with the Seahawks, the team that selected him in the third round (No. 75 pick) of the 2012 draft.

Wilson spent 10 seasons in the Emerald City, earning nine Pro Bowl appearances, three seasons with AP Offensive Player of the Year votes and a Super Bowl title in 2013. Wilson could have had another had he not thrown the ball inside the goal line during Super Bowl 49.

In 2022, Wilson was dealt to Broncos in exchange for Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, Noah Fant and a treasure trove of picks. He spent two seasons in the Mile High City, failing to make a dent under Sean Payton. In 2024, he was released, eventually landing on the Steelers on a one-year, veteran's minimum deal.

Wilson was Pittsburgh's starter for much of the 2024 season, helping lead Mike Tomlin's side to the postseason. Despite the team's relative success, the Steelers opted to let him go ahead of the 2025 season.

Wilson finished his career in New York, signing with the Giants on a one-year, $10.5 million deal. He was named the team's starter to open the regular season but lasted three games in that post. In Week 4, he was replaced by Dart, who remained the team's starter for the rest of the year. Wilson did appear in three more contests after Dart exited games due to injury.

Russell Wilson career stats

Here's a look at Wilson's numbers over the course of his glittering career.