Getty
Former Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson just got a strong endorsement for his next act.
During a recent NFL Network appearance, fellow former quarterback Matt Ryan called Wilson “natural” and “comfortable” on television after a full day with him on CBS’ The NFL Today, fueling speculation that the Super Bowl winner could be headed for a future in the broadcast booth.
A recent clip shared by Ian Rapoport on X detailed Wilson’s day in the broadcast studio.
Seahawks Legend Gets TV Nod on Russell Wilson’s Future
Ryan joined the show to preview his own work on the upcoming Netflix Christmas Day broadcast, where he’ll be part of the team calling Cowboys-Commanders before Lions-Vikings. In the middle of that conversation, he was asked what it was like to share the CBS studio with Wilson during the quarterback’s bye week.
Ryan didn’t hesitate to praise the former Seahawks franchise star.
He said Wilson spent the entire day with the NFL Today crew, from morning meetings to the streaming NFL Today Plus show on Paramount+ and then the main noon broadcast. According to Ryan, Wilson was “natural” and “comfortable on camera,” worked well in meetings and “did a great job” once the lights came on.
Ryan also pointed to Wilson’s resume as a major reason he thinks broadcasting is a real option.
The longtime Atlanta Falcons quarterback noted that Wilson has a “wealth of knowledge” and that “the entirety of his career” makes his opinions compelling. Ryan added that Wilson has “been through everything,” from deep playoff runs to adversity, which gives him a unique perspective to share with fans once he decides to transition out of playing.
For Seahawks fans who watched Wilson grow from a third-round pick into a Super Bowl champion, those comments sounded a lot like a scouting report on his second career.
What Russell Wilson’s TV Future Could Mean for Seahawks Fans
From a Seattle perspective, Wilson becoming a full-time analyst could be a fascinating next chapter in a complicated relationship.
Wilson led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title and another Super Bowl appearance, helping define the Pete Carroll era. His exit via blockbuster trade, and the years of back-and-forth debate about how it ended, changed how some fans viewed him. A neutral TV role could give him a new way to connect with the fanbase without the weekly drama of team allegiances.
If Wilson steps into a booth or studio chair, Seahawks fans would likely hear more detailed stories about the Legion of Boom defenses, his work with Carroll and Shane Waldron, and how Seattle’s offense evolved around him. That kind of insight has helped former quarterbacks like Tony Romo, Troy Aikman and Kurt Warner build second careers as trusted voices on game day.
There’s also the simple visibility factor. Wilson showing up regularly on national broadcasts would keep his Seattle legacy front and center, especially when the Seahawks are involved in big NFC games. For a franchise still chasing its next Super Bowl run, having its most decorated quarterback as a high-profile TV presence isn’t bad branding.
At the same time, Ryan’s comments came with an important caveat: Wilson is still playing, and nobody knows exactly when he’ll hang it up. Ryan framed broadcasting as something Wilson will “do a great job [at] if and when he decides to do it,” leaving the timeline wide open.
Stats, Schedule & Context for Seahawks Fans
Here’s the quick context Seahawks fans can keep in mind as the Russell-on-TV chatter ramps up:
- Wilson already has on-air reps with CBS’ The NFL Today, including a full bye-week Sunday in studio.
- Ryan is following a path Seahawks fans have seen before from ex-stars around the league: retire, then move directly into national TV work.
- Wilson remains one of the most accomplished players in Seahawks history, with a Super Bowl win and multiple deep playoff runs on his résumé.
- Ryan will be in the spotlight himself on Christmas Day, calling Cowboys-Commanders before Lions-Vikings on Netflix, a showcase for the newest wave of former quarterbacks in the booth.
For now, Wilson’s primary job is still playing quarterback. But with another respected veteran like Ryan publicly calling him a “natural” on TV, Seahawks fans just got one of the clearest signs yet of what his eventual post-NFL career might look like.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Anderson is also the host of The Rip City Pod on The I-5 Corridor, where he dives into the stories and personalities shaping the Portland Trail Blazers. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
More Heavy on Seahawks
Loading more stories