Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson, 37, is finalizing a deal to become a CBS Sports analyst, potentially pausing—or ending—his NFL playing career after his one-year New York Giants stint ended. Despite having been offered a backup role by one franchise, Wilson t
Russell Wilson is closing in on a new life in the studio, and it’s happening while the NFL’s playing opportunities still hovered in front of him.
The Super Bowl champion—now 37—has been finalizing a deal to join CBS Sports as an analyst. a move that could mark the end of his 14-year NFL career. Wilson’s one-year contract with the New York Giants ended last season. and although he began that campaign as the franchise’s starting quarterback. he was later demoted for Jaxson Dart before testing free agency.
For months, the picture around Wilson has looked like a crossroads. He hadn’t been inundated with offers from teams. and reports had suggested he was weighing his options beyond the field. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Wilson was finalizing the CBS analyst deal. The report said he will join the network’s pregame show alongside James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher.
What makes the decision land so sharply inside the NFL debate is that Wilson reportedly wasn’t completely shut out from playing. Ian Rapoport said Wilson did have an offer to become a backup quarterback with one franchise. but he turned it down in order to pursue this new venture. The NFL Network reporter then added that Wilson “may not be retiring. ” but will put his playing career on pause at the very least to join the network.
That pause has also been sitting next to a set of nearly-final twists on the Jets path. Wilson’s most likely option. in terms of finding a new team. was widely seen as the New York Jets after he visited their facilities in April. But last month, the momentum took a major hit when Jets head coach Aaron Glenn stepped back from the idea. Asked about potentially signing Wilson. Glenn said the Jets go through a process to improve the team and that. once it starts. it can become a bigger issue than what it really is. Glenn then added. “We’re talking to a number of veteran quarterbacks. ” and said. “I will say this here in saying that: I’m happy with our quarterback room.”.
The Jets’ quarterback group includes Geno Smith. who had a disappointing season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. along with rookie fourth-round pick Cable Klubnik. Klubnik. the 22-year-old Clemson product. went 26-14 as a starter with the Tigers and won ACC Championship Game MVP honors in 2022 and 2024.
Wilson’s NFL timeline is already full of high points that explain why teams would still find him difficult to ignore. He led the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl glory in 2014, beating the Denver Broncos. He is also a ten-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Super Bowl XLVIII champion. Still, last season ended with a difficult chapter in New York. Wilson began as the Giants’ starter before being demoted in favor of Jaxson Dart. and he leaves the year as a free agent.
Even as television becomes more likely. the question that lingers is whether this is a clean break or a carefully timed detour. A source told The Daily Mail last month that Wilson’s future in the NFL isn’t completely reliant on the Jets. even as he considers becoming a CBS analyst. The source said Wilson is “currently leaning toward doing TV but not fully retiring. ” and is watching how the season unfolds around injuries. The plan. as described. also leaves space for a later return: he would “highly” consider joining a team later in the season that is making a playoff push. The source added that Wilson feels TV is his future. and if he receives a contract that is “too good to refuse. ” he would do it immediately while monitoring games from the studio.
The same account claimed Wilson could have a clause in his contract allowing him to sign with a team if needed. It also said Wilson doesn’t want this to be the final chapter of his career if he can avoid it—eager for “not” to retire and get one last moment, but willing to take a year off and try TV.
The human side of the situation is unmistakable: Ciara was seen with Wilson at the Met Gala. and after years of chasing Sundays at the highest level. the move to CBS represents a moment of recalculation. For now. Wilson is choosing the studio. after turning down a reported backup offer and with the Jets—once close to a comeback story—falling back behind Glenn’s firm line about being “happy” with the quarterback room.
Russell Wilson CBS Sports analyst Jaxson Dart New York Giants Jets Aaron Glenn Geno Smith Cable Klubnik Super Bowl XLVIII Met Gala NFL free agency