Russell Wilson is hanging up the cleats for good.
The former Denver Broncos quarterback announced his retirement from the NFL on social media, posting a highlight video narrated by himself chronicling his career — including clips from his short and turbulent stint in the Mile High City. The video featured a grateful Wilson thanking teammates, coaches and family throughout his journey.
“Thank You, Football. Love, #3,” Wilson wrote.
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Thank You, Football.
Love, #3 pic.twitter.com/hqlS7kWQpy
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 3, 2026
The announcement comes just days after reports surfaced that Wilson was finalizing a deal to join CBS Sports as a television analyst, a move first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier this week. Wilson had also been linked to a potential backup role with the New York Jets in 2026, but ultimately chose the broadcast booth over the clipboard.
Wilson’s video reel captured the highs of a career that, at its peak, looked destined for Canton. There were the scrambles, the deep balls to Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, and of course, the Super Bowl XLVIII triumph with the Seattle Seahawks — a championship that came at the expense of Broncos Country in a 43-8 rout.
The Denver chapter of Wilson’s highlight reel was, predictably, much thinner.
The Broncos acquired Wilson in March 2022 in a blockbuster trade that sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Shelby Harris to Seattle. Before he ever took a snap in orange and blue, Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million extension.
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What followed was one of the most disastrous quarterback tenures in franchise history.
Wilson went 4-11 as a starter in 2022 under head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired before the season ended. The arrival of Sean Payton in 2023 did little to repair things. Wilson and Payton clashed almost immediately, and despite a 7-8 record as the starter, Wilson was benched late in the season in favor of Jarrett Stidham — a move widely viewed as the organization protecting itself from further financial damage.
Denver released Wilson the following offseason, absorbing what was at the time the largest dead cap hit in NFL history.
He finished his Broncos tenure with an 11-19 record as a starter, 6,594 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
Denver moved on to Bo Nix, selecting him the next spring in the NFL Draft.
Wilson spent the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, even sneaking into a Pro Bowl appearance for his year in Pittsburgh.
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Whether Wilson eventually finds his way into the Hall of Fame will depend almost entirely on his Seattle resume — a Super Bowl title, nine Pro Bowl selections in Washington and a decade as one of the league’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks.
In Denver, the emotions remain complicated. Wilson’s name still stings for a fan base that watched the franchise mortgage its future for a quarterback who never resembled his Seattle self. But with Nix now under center and the Broncos firmly in the Super Bowl contender conversation, much of the bad feelings have faded.
Wilson will now transition to a lucrative television career with CBS, where he’ll be seen by millions of viewers each fall.