Russell Wilson may reject Jets via career-altering decision

A recent report indicated that veteran free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson could soon come to an agreement with the New York Jets to serve as a backup for starter and offseason acquisition Geno Smith. 

It sounds like Wilson may not want to spend his Sundays standing on the sidelines watching Smith take snaps for the Jets. 

Russell Wilson ready to retire from playing to begin media career?

On Friday morning, media insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that "Wilson is in deep discussions to go into television, which could mark the end" of his playing career. Such a decision would essentially complete one of the more stunning NFL dropoffs of the 2020s. 

Wilson earned a Super Bowl ring and nine Pro Bowl nods while with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 through the 2021 season. Months after he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022, Denver signed him to a five-year extension that could have been worth $245M and reportedly included $165M guaranteed.

Wilson's Denver tenure was mostly a disaster, so much so that the Broncos ate what was the largest dead cap hit in NFL history to part ways with him in March 2024. He then spent what became a forgettable season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he more recently made three starts for the New York Giants in September 2025 before he was benched in favor of then-rookie Jaxson Dart.  

This network is the favorite to sign Russell Wilson

According to Marchand, CBS is the favorite to sign Wilson and then feature the 37-year-old on editions of "The NFL Today" program. Wilson has made guest appearances for CBS, most recently during the playoffs this past January. 

Earlier this offseason, retired quarterback Matt Ryan left CBS to become the Atlanta Falcons' president of football. Meanwhile, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin signed with NBC to be part of the network's "Football Night in America" program that precedes "Sunday Night Football" games. 

Assuming Wilson truly is done playing, it's unclear who the Jets could target to serve as Smith's full-time backup. Along with Smith, Gang Green has 2025 undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook, journeyman Bailey Zappe and 2026 fourth-round draft choice Cade Klubnik in its quarterback room.