Russell Wilson Lands TV Job As He Puts NFL Career On Hold For 2026

Russell Wilson will not be playing in the NFL in 2026.

Despite receiving multiple offers for a backup quarterback position on some contending teams, Wilson has decided to go another route. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback has accepted an offer to be a TV analyst on an NFL pregame show.

Wilson will be working for CBS in 2026.

"Sources: Ten-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson is finalizing a deal to become a CBS Sports analyst. Wilson won a Super Bowl, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and now leaves the NFL to become an analyst on the network's pregame show that includes James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher," Adam Schefter reported.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport confirmed the news, too.

"Wilson may not be retiring, but at least a pause on his playing career," he reported.

NFL fans react to Wilson's new role for 2026

NFL fans are interested to see how Wilson fares on TV. He'll be joining one of the league's top pregame shows.

"How healthy can a pause be though? The longer he sits out the less likely he gets back to being an QB in the league," one fan wrote.

"He's made his money. He has a ring. Gonna back up for the Jets when you can get paid well to be in the booth and possibly step in later in the season if someone needs a Philip Rivers like last year? Why not?" one fan added.

"May not be retiring is doing a LOT of heavy lifting here 😭 Bro didn't fall off, he just sidestepped into the CBS booth like it was a designed rollout. 🔥," one fan added.

"Kinda sounds like he's retiring to be a pregame analyst considering he's short, 37 years old, and isn't good anymore…" another fan wrote.

Of course, it's possible that Wilson will ultimately retire, but maybe there will be an injury or two during the 2026 season, and someone will come calling while he's working in a TV role.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM.