Russell Wilson’s NFL Future Is Cloudy, But He’s Not Ready to Call It Quits
Russell Wilson isn’t backing down just yet.
The 14-year NFL veteran, once the face of a perennial contender in Seattle, has spent the 2025 season on the sidelines in East Rutherford - and not by choice. Brought in as a short-term bridge for rookie Jaxson Dart, Wilson’s time as the Giants’ starter lasted just three games. By Week 4, the former Super Bowl champ was benched, and he hasn’t taken a meaningful snap since.
For many, that would signal the end. But Wilson? He’s not ready to close the book.
On Wednesday, the 10-time Pro Bowler posted a cryptic message on social media that raised more than a few eyebrows. In response to a post suggesting that his peak years from 2017-2020 would make him the top quarterback in today’s NFL, Wilson fired back with a message that read more like a personal mission statement:
“Man… I gotta get back to Ballin’ & being Me. Back to my First 10.
It’s time. Time to go Dark.”
If nothing else, the message makes one thing clear: Wilson still believes he’s got something left in the tank.
A Fall From the Top
There’s no sugarcoating it - the decline has been steep. Since leaving Seattle in 2022, Wilson’s career has unraveled in real time.
The Broncos experiment flamed out fast. And now, with the Giants, he’s been relegated to a veteran mentor role while a new era begins under center.
The numbers, the tape, the benching - they all tell the same story. Wilson just hasn’t looked like the guy who once made magic out of broken plays, who threw one of the prettiest deep balls in the league, and who routinely turned fourth-quarter deficits into wins.
What’s even more jarring is how quickly the narrative has flipped. Not long ago, Wilson felt like a lock for Canton - a Super Bowl champion, nine Pro Bowls in his first 10 seasons, and a reputation as one of the game’s most efficient, clutch quarterbacks. Now, he’s a backup fighting for one-year deals, trying to prove he still belongs in the league.
Still Searching for a Spark
Wilson’s post doesn’t sound like retirement talk. If anything, it sounds like a player still chasing a comeback. He wants to tap back into the version of himself that dominated the league for a decade - the guy who led the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and made scrambling outside the pocket into an art form.
But that version of Russ hasn’t shown up in a while. Whether it’s age, scheme fit, or just the wear and tear of 14 NFL seasons, the explosiveness and precision that once defined his game have faded.
And yet, Wilson remains one of the most driven, self-assured quarterbacks in recent memory. That belief in himself - the same belief that helped him go from a third-round pick to franchise cornerstone - hasn’t wavered.
It’s part of what made him great. It’s also what’s keeping the door cracked open for one more shot.
Life After Football?
During the Giants’ Week 14 bye, Wilson stepped into the broadcast booth as an analyst on CBS Sports’ NFL Today. And he looked comfortable - polished, insightful, and charismatic. If he does decide to hang up the cleats, a media career seems like a natural next step.
But for now, Wilson isn’t ready to pivot. He’s not talking retirement. He’s talking redemption.
What’s Next?
Wilson will be a free agent this offseason. And while it’s tough to imagine a team handing him a starting job, there are always quarterback-needy franchises willing to take a flier on a veteran with pedigree. If a team believes it can unlock whatever’s left of the old Russ - the one who’s “back to ballin’” and “being himself” - he might get another shot.
It’s a long road back to relevance in the NFL, especially for a 37-year-old quarterback coming off back-to-back benchings. But Wilson’s not interested in riding off quietly. Whether or not he still has the game to match the mindset is another story.
For now, the message is clear: Russ isn’t done. At least not in his mind.