Russell Wilson is working his way back to the NFL
Just months after retiring from the NFL, Russell Wilson is already eyeing his next challenge — this time as a head coach.
R ussell Wilson could be entering a new chapter in his career just months after announcing his retirement from the NFL . The former New York Giants quarterback interviewed for the head coaching position at NC State , the school where he began his college career.
“Former Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson interviewed Tuesday for the head coaching job at NC State,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on Tuesday night.
“Wilson, 38, joins Philip Rivers as former NC State and NFL quarterbacks who are now prominent candidates for the Wolfpack job. NC State fired head coach Dave Doeren on Oct. 24. Wilson played at NC State from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to Wisconsin in 2011. After being selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL, leading the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl championship during the 2013 season.”
Wilson played at NC State from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to Wisconsin. In 2012 , he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the NFL Draft and later led the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl title during the 2013 season .
The Super Bowl XLVIII champion and 10-time All-Pro selection retired in June after spending his final season with the Giants in 2025 . He currently works as an analyst for CBS Sports .
Wilson spent his first 10 seasons with Seattle , where he won one championship and appeared in another Super Bowl, before being traded to the Denver Broncos in one of the league’s biggest blockbuster deals. After two seasons in Denver, he spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Giants.
Wilson’s Broncos trade became one of the worst in NFL history
The move that sent Wilson to Denver in 2022 is considered one of the worst recent trades in the league. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report called it the “Worst NFL Trade of the Last 10 Years” for a franchise.
The Broncos sent Seattle two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, as well as quarterback Drew Lock , defensive lineman Shelby Harris , and tight end Noah Fant in exchange for Wilson and a fourth-round selection.
Denver later gave Wilson a five-year contract extension worth $242.6 million , including $161 million guaranteed . After releasing him in 2024 , the franchise absorbed a record $85 million dead cap hit.
Russell Wilson’s complicated relationship with Sean Payton
Wilson’s situation in Denver worsened after Sean Payton arrived as head coach in 2023 . The two had disagreements throughout the season, and the quarterback finished with an 11-19 record over two seasons with the Broncos before his departure.
Wilson regained some of his form in 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers , signing a one-year deal worth $1.2 million . After missing the first six games due to injury, he returned as the starter and finished with a 6-5 record , helping lead the team to the playoffs.
In the loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, Wilson completed 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
In March 2025 , he signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Giants, although the franchise selected quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round of the Draft shortly afterward, marking the beginning of the end of Wilson’s playing career.
