Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback who became one of the most successful quarterbacks of his generation. Best known for leading the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl championship, Wilson spent 14 seasons in the NFL, earned 10 Pro Bowl selections, and established himself as one of the league’s most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks.
His career has included an extraordinary rise from a third-round draft pick to a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, followed by spells with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants. In 2026, Wilson began a new chapter away from the field after accepting a role with CBS Sports, putting his playing career on pause.
Wilson is also widely known outside football because of his marriage to Grammy-winning singer Ciara. Together, they have built one of the most recognizable celebrity families in American sports and entertainment.
Who Is Russell Wilson?
Russell Carrington Wilson is a former American football quarterback who played in the NFL from 2012 through 2025. He became famous for his combination of passing accuracy, mobility, leadership and ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Wilson was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 75th overall pick. Despite concerns from some scouts about his relatively small stature for an NFL quarterback, he quickly won Seattle’s starting job and became one of the league’s most productive players.
During his career, Wilson became a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, won Super Bowl XLVIII, was named the 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and established numerous statistical records. The Giants noted that he finished his NFL career with 46,135 passing yards and 350 touchdown passes.
Russell Wilson Age
Russell Wilson was born on November 29, 1988, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is 37 years old in 2026. He grew up in a family with strong academic and athletic traditions. Wilson developed an interest in football at an early age and eventually became a standout athlete at the Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia.
He was not limited to football. Wilson was also an accomplished baseball player and was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. His ability to excel in multiple sports became an important part of his identity. Even after committing himself to football, he continued to demonstrate the athleticism and coordination that would later become trademarks of his NFL career.
Russell Wilson Family and Background
Wilson is the son of Harrison Wilson III and Tammy Wilson. His father was a lawyer and played football and baseball at Dartmouth College. His mother worked as a legal nurse consultant. His older brother, Harrison IV, also played football at the collegiate level, while his sister, Anna, played basketball at Stanford University.
Athletics therefore played a significant role in the Wilson household. Wilson has often spoken about the influence of his parents, particularly the discipline and work ethic they encouraged in him. His father died in 2010, shortly before Wilson transferred to Wisconsin for his final college season.
Russell Wilson Education
Wilson attended Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, where he excelled in football and baseball. He initially attended North Carolina State University, where he played football from 2008 through 2010. After three seasons at NC State, Wilson transferred to the University of Wisconsin for the 2011 season. He completed his undergraduate education at Wisconsin while playing one season for the Badgers.
His 2011 season was exceptional. He led Wisconsin to the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl and established an NCAA record with a 191.8 passer rating for the season.
Russell Wilson College Football Career
Wilson began his college career at NC State. During his time there, he became one of the school’s most productive quarterbacks. He eventually transferred to Wisconsin for his final season, where he produced one of the most efficient quarterback seasons in college football history.
The Giants note that Wilson became the fifth player in NCAA FBS history to record at least 5,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards while starting 50 consecutive games. He also threw 379 consecutive passes without an interception, an NCAA FBS record at the time. Despite his impressive statistics, some NFL scouts questioned whether his height would limit him at the professional level. The Seahawks ultimately decided that his talent outweighed those concerns.
Russell Wilson NFL Draft
Seattle selected Wilson with the 75th overall pick in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The selection surprised some observers because Wilson was considered relatively short for an NFL quarterback. Nevertheless, he competed for the starting job during training camp and ultimately won it.
He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2012, against the Arizona Cardinals. Although Seattle lost that opening game, Wilson quickly established himself as a capable starter. He finished his rookie season with an 11–5 record, helped the Seahawks reach the playoffs and earned the 2012 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.
Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks
Wilson spent 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 through 2021. His early years were particularly impressive. Seattle had built one of the NFL’s strongest defenses, known as the “Legion of Boom,” while Wilson provided an increasingly dangerous passing and rushing threat. He became one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league and developed a reputation for fourth-quarter comebacks and improvisational plays.
Wilson led Seattle to the playoffs multiple times and appeared in two Super Bowls. By the end of his Seattle career, he had established himself as the franchise’s winningest quarterback. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to record more than 40,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards during his career.
Russell Wilson and Super Bowl XLVIII
The greatest achievement of Wilson’s Seattle career came during the 2013 NFL season. The Seahawks finished the regular season with one of the league’s best records and advanced through the playoffs to Super Bowl XLVIII. Seattle faced the Denver Broncos, whose offense had produced one of the greatest statistical seasons in NFL history. Instead of a close contest, the Seahawks dominated.
Seattle won 43–8, giving the franchise its first Super Bowl championship. Wilson played a disciplined game, throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The victory made Wilson a Super Bowl champion in only his second NFL season. Seattle returned to the Super Bowl the following season but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
Russell Wilson with the Denver Broncos
After a decade in Seattle, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. The move was one of the biggest quarterback trades in recent NFL history. Denver acquired Wilson with expectations that he would help transform the franchise into a Super Bowl contender. His time with the Broncos, however, did not unfold as expected.
The 2022 season was particularly difficult, as Denver struggled offensively and Wilson experienced one of the least productive seasons of his career. He improved significantly in 2023 under coach Sean Payton, but the relationship between Wilson and the organization eventually deteriorated. Denver released Wilson in 2024, and he subsequently joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Wilson with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. He missed the first six games of the season because of injury but eventually took over as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. Wilson started the final 12 regular-season games and helped the Steelers reach the playoffs. He also started their Wild Card Round game. Although his time in Pittsburgh lasted only one season, it helped restore some of the momentum that had been lost during his difficult Denver period.
Russell Wilson with the New York Giants
In March 2025, Wilson signed with the New York Giants. The Giants announced the signing of the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback as part of their effort to strengthen the quarterback position. Wilson began the 2025 season as the Giants’ starter. However, after an 0–3 start, head coach Brian Daboll replaced him with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Wilson subsequently moved into a backup role.
He finished the 2025 season with only six appearances and three starts, throwing for 831 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers were career lows, but they represented only the final chapter of a much longer and highly successful NFL career.
Russell Wilson’s Move to CBS Sports
In June 2026, Wilson accepted an opportunity to join CBS Sports as a television analyst. NFL Network reported that Wilson was putting his playing career on pause and would join CBS’s Sunday pregame programming. He had received an opportunity to continue playing as a backup in 2026 but chose to begin a new career in broadcasting. The move effectively marked the end of his 14-season NFL career.
Wilson’s transition into television is a natural extension of his public profile. His experience as a quarterback, his communication skills and his extensive knowledge of the NFL make him well suited to analysis. In June 2026, the Seahawks also described his move to television as his transition away from the playing field.
Russell Wilson Height and Weight
Russell Wilson stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters). The NFL’s 2025 New York Giants team guide listed him at 5 feet 11 inches and 215 pounds. His height became a major talking point before the 2012 NFL Draft because quarterbacks of his stature were relatively uncommon. Wilson ultimately turned the perceived disadvantage into part of his legacy by becoming one of the most successful quarterbacks of his generation.
Russell Wilson Wife, Ciara and Marriage
Russell Wilson is married to Ciara, the Grammy Award-winning American singer and entertainer. The couple began dating in 2015 and became engaged in March 2016. They married on July 6, 2016, at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England. Their relationship has received substantial media attention because both are highly successful public figures.
Wilson has frequently supported Ciara’s music and business ventures, while Ciara has been a visible supporter of his football career. The couple has also worked together on philanthropic and business initiatives. Before marrying Ciara, Wilson was married to Ashton Meem. They married in 2012 and divorced in 2014.
Russell Wilson Children and Family
Wilson and Ciara have three children together.
Their daughter Sienna Princess Wilson was born in 2017, followed by their son Win Harrison Wilson in 2020. Their second daughter, Amora Princess Wilson, was born in December 2023. Wilson is also a stepfather to Future Zahir Wilburn, Ciara’s son from her previous relationship with rapper Future.
Wilson has publicly embraced his role as a father and stepfather and frequently discusses the importance of family. His relationship with Ciara and their children has become one of the more recognizable celebrity families in sports and entertainment.
Russell Wilson Net Worth
Russell Wilson’s estimated net worth is approximately $185 million as of 2026. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his fortune at $185 million and reports that he earned approximately $315 million in NFL salary during his playing career, in addition to more than $100 million from endorsements and other off-field activities.
Biography.com also cited the approximately $185 million estimate in June 2026. Wilson’s wealth has come from multiple sources, including NFL contracts, endorsement deals, investments and business ventures. His commercial partnerships have included major brands such as Nike, Microsoft, Bose, Braun and Wheaties.
Estimated Russell Wilson net worth in 2026: $185 million. Because private assets, investments and business interests are not completely public, this should be treated as an estimate rather than an audited figure.
Russell Wilson Salary and Career Earnings
During his NFL career, Wilson earned an estimated $315 million in NFL salary alone. His most lucrative NFL contract came during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, when he signed a major extension that made him one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks. Wilson’s total earnings were considerably higher when endorsements and business activities are included.
Since he is moving into television in 2026, he no longer has an NFL playing salary. His CBS Sports compensation has not been publicly disclosed, so assigning a precise salary would be speculative.
Russell Wilson Awards and Achievements
Wilson’s professional résumé includes some of the most significant accomplishments available to an NFL quarterback. His major achievements include:
- Super Bowl champion
- 10-time Pro Bowl selection
- Super Bowl XLVIII winner
- 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
- 2012 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year
- 2019 Second-Team All-Pro
- 2015 NFL passer-rating leader
- 2017 NFL passing-touchdown leader
- Multiple playoff appearances
- More than 46,000 career passing yards
- 350 career passing touchdowns
- More than 5,400 career rushing yards
The Giants noted that Wilson’s 99.8 career passer rating ranks fifth in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 attempts. His combination of passing and rushing production also places him among the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Russell Wilson?
Russell Wilson was born on November 29, 1988, making him 37 years old in 2026.
What is Russell Wilson’s height?
Russell Wilson is 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall and was listed at 215 pounds by the New York Giants.
What is Russell Wilson’s net worth?
Russell Wilson’s estimated net worth is approximately $185 million as of 2026.
Who is Russell Wilson’s wife?
Russell Wilson is married to Ciara, the Grammy-winning singer. They married in July 2016.
How many children does Russell Wilson have?
Wilson and Ciara have three children together: Sienna, Win and Amora. Wilson is also stepfather to Ciara’s son, Future Zahir.
Is Russell Wilson still playing football?
No. In June 2026, Wilson accepted a position with CBS Sports, putting his NFL playing career on pause.
What team did Russell Wilson play for the longest?
Wilson spent 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, from 2012 through 2021. He led Seattle to its first Super Bowl championship in the 2013 season.
Did Russell Wilson win a Super Bowl?
Yes. Wilson won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks in February 2014. Seattle defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8.
What is Russell Wilson doing now?
As of 2026, Wilson is beginning a career in sports broadcasting with CBS Sports after 14 seasons as an NFL quarterback.