Russell Wilson, the veteran quarterback who is set to become a free agent this offseason, has been advised to consider retirement from the NFL. The 36-year-old is celebrated as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, having won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks and earning 10 Pro Bowl invites.
However, his one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers is nearing its end and suspicions are growing that the team will part ways with Wilson, leaving him on the hunt for a new side.
The Steelers are expected to overhaul their quarterback department this offseason, with Justin Fields also becoming a free agent after signing a one-year contract in 2024.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks Wilson should contemplate retirement, telling Get Up: “I don’t think it’s the worst idea (retiring). He’s made over $300 million in salary playing NFL football. Certainly got plenty he can do after his career.
“The last three years have gone poorly, I just don’t get it. I think he still feels like he has something to prove, I’m just not sure if he has the ability left to prove it.” However, Graziano also stated he’d be “stunned” if Wilson actually did retire this offseason.
Wilson, who played college football for NC State and Wisconsin, has had an illustrious professional career since being picked in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seahawks. Back in 2015, he was the NFL’s passer rating leader and then passing touchdowns leader in 2017. Furthermore, he was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2020.
Russell Wilson has enjoyed an illustrious career (Image: Getty Images)
He also spent a decade as the starting quarterback for Seattle, before he was traded to the Denver Broncos before the 2022 season. However, his two-year stint in Colorado was marked by disappointment, with the Broncos failing to secure a playoff spot or achieve a winning season during either campaign.
Wilson was subsequently released by Denver and snapped up by Pittsburgh ahead of the 2024 season. Despite missing the first six games due to injury, he replaced Fields and steered the Steelers to the playoffs, earning his first Pro Bowl nod since 2021. Yet, despite showing great potential, Pittsburgh’s season quickly fell apart. The Steelers lost their last four regular season games and suffered a 28-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
This poor end to the season, coupled with Wilson’s contract situation, has raised questions about his future in Pennsylvania in 2025.
When asked at Super Bowl LIX whether Wilson would sign for the Steelers or the Las Vegas Raiders, FOX’s NFL insider Jay Glazer responded: “That ain’t gonna happen. That one is over. I don’t think that’s gonna happen, either (a return to Pittsburgh). I think you’ll see a new start for Russell somewhere.”