Russell Wilson transitions to CBS Sports as 'The NFL Today' contributor
The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback ends his 14-year playing career to join the network’s flagship Sunday programme, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson has officially joined CBS Sports as a contributor to 'The NFL Today' pregame show, marking the conclusion of his 14-year professional playing career. The move, announced via social media on Wednesday evening, sees Wilson replacing Matt Ryan, who departed the broadcast desk to rejoin the Atlanta Falcons as their president of football. Wilson, a Super Bowl XLVIII champion, stated he is entering a new chapter to continue his involvement with the sport he has dominated for over a decade.
Wilson will appear on the programme throughout the 2026 season, joining a broadcast team that includes James Brown, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher, and retired wide receiver Nate Burleson. 'The NFL Today' is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary and won a Sports Emmy last season. The network’s recent editorial focus has included comprehensive coverage of the NFL alongside major updates on MLB, NBA, and NHL events, with specific emphasis on playoff matchups and betting insights in recent newsletters.
The transition follows a final season with the New York Giants in 2025, where Wilson started three games before being replaced by first-round pick Jaxson Dart. His tenure in New York ended after losses in all three starts, concluding a career that saw him lead the league with four fourth-quarter comebacks in 2024 while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That performance earned him his 10th and final Pro Bowl selection, a testament to his longevity in a league where few players sustain elite performance over such an extended period.
Wilson’s career statistics place him in rare company within NFL history. He is one of only two players, alongside Aaron Rodgers, to accumulate over 45,000 passing yards, 350 passing touchdowns, and 30 rushing touchdowns. His journey began in Seattle, where he spent his first 10 seasons from 2012 to 2021, earning Pro Bowl nods in nine of those years and leading the Seahawks to a playoff win in each of his first five seasons, a record tied with Joe Flacco for the most consecutive seasons with a playoff win to begin a starting quarterback’s career.
Following his departure from Seattle, Wilson’s career took a volatile turn with stints at the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. His time in Denver was marked by struggles under coaches Nathaniel Hackett and Sean Payton, resulting in his release after the 2023 season. He subsequently found stability in Pittsburgh, where he helped the team reach the 2024 postseason. Now, Wilson brings this extensive on-field experience to the CBS Sports broadcast desk, aiming to provide analysis as the network continues its deep coverage of the 2026 NFL season.
