Russell Wilson
The dual-threat quarterback who won a Super Bowl in Seattle, played two seasons for Denver, and continues his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Wilson is a professional football quarterback who has played 13 seasons in the NFL (2012–2024), primarily with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Denver Broncos and later the Pittsburgh Steelers. Selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 draft, he won Super Bowl XLVIII and earned nine Pro Bowl selections during his decade in Seattle. In 2022, Wilson was traded to the Broncos, where his tenure faced significant challenges. The team struggled with the league's worst scoring offense that season, leading to Wilson being benched near the end of the 2023 campaign before he was released in the offseason. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season and remains an active player as of the end of the 2024 season.
- Position
- Quarterback
- Tenure with Broncos
- 2022–2023
- Super Bowl Champion
- Yes (XLVIII with Seattle)
- Pro Bowl Selections
- 9x (All with Seattle)
- Status
- Active Player
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Wilson's time with the Broncos began with high expectations after his successful decade in Seattle, where he set records for wins through nine seasons and threw 30 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. However, his arrival in Denver did not yield immediate success; the Broncos recorded the league's worst scoring offense in 2022. Despite signing a five-year, $245 million extension, the team failed to find its rhythm under Wilson's leadership. The situation deteriorated by late 2023, resulting in Wilson being benched near the end of the season. He was subsequently released in the offseason, marking a stark contrast to his earlier achievements, which included leading Seattle to consecutive Super Bowl appearances and winning their first championship.
In Their Own Story
After signing a four-year, $140 million extension with the Seahawks in 2019, Wilson became the highest-paid NFL player at the time. He achieved historic feats, including becoming the third quarterback to throw 30 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons in 2020. Yet, his move to Denver in 2022 shifted the narrative dramatically. The Broncos' offense sputtered, ranking as the worst in scoring during the 2022 season. Wilson's tenure ended abruptly when he was benched near the conclusion of the 2023 season. Following his release, he signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2024, where he earned his tenth Pro Bowl selection, before moving to the New York Giants on another one-year contract.
Reader's Guide
Russell Wilson played as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos from 2022 until his release in the offseason following the 2023 season. Prior to this, he spent 14 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was named to nine Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson is recognized as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks of all time, holding records for most wins by a quarterback through nine seasons and being one of five players with a career passer rating over 99. His career also includes setting the single-season FBS record for passer rating at Wisconsin. After leaving Denver, he played for the Steelers in 2024 and the Giants the following season before retiring from the NFL in 2026 to join CBS Sports.
Did You Know?
- Wilson was benched near the end of the 2023 season while playing for the Denver Broncos.
- Wilson is one of the most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, with over 40,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards in his career.
- During his college career at Wisconsin, he set the single-season FBS record for passer rating, a mark later broken by Tua Tagovailoa in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Russell Wilson?
He is a veteran quarterback who spent most of his career with Seattle before joining Denver as a free agent. He famously led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory early in his professional journey.
When did he play for the Broncos?
His tenure with the team lasted two seasons, running from 2022 through the end of the 2023 campaign. During this period, he served as the starting quarterback despite facing various on-field challenges.
Did he win a Super Bowl?
Wilson is indeed a Super Bowl champion, but that title was achieved with his former team, the Seattle Seahawks. He did not add another championship ring to his collection while playing for Denver or Pittsburgh.
How did his time in Denver go?
The offense struggled significantly during his presence, at one point ranking as the league's worst scoring unit. These difficulties contributed to him being benched late in 2023 before he eventually departed the organization.
Where is he playing now?
Although listed as an active player, Wilson has moved on from Denver to continue his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His era as a Bronco concluded after two seasons of mixed results and roster changes.
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