Russell Wilson Announces The Jets Have Made Him An Offer

The past couple of seasons have been some of the worst of Russell Wilson's career and it's become pretty clear that he isn't primed for a big renaissance in his late-30s like Matthew Stafford or Aaron Rodgers. But with the New York Jets being the only team to make him an offer this offseason, Wilson seems to be accepting that his career is nearing its end.

Speaking to reporters at the BTIG Charity Day, Wilson revealed that after recently meeting with the New York Jets, the team offered him a contract. But while Wilson asserted that he can "play ball at a high level," he said that he has the chance to get into television this year and is mulling his options.

"It was great," Wilson said of the meeting, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "They offered me, and I'm trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do. I still know I can play ball at a high level, but also I have an opportunity to do TV, so we'll see what happens."

The Jets or Retirement?

It's unclear what kind of contract offer the Jets made to Wilson but we can reasonably assume it's not the kind of money that would ensure he starts in Week 1. The Jets have already seemingly committed to Geno Smith as their starter, but there's probably going to be a battle for the backup.

Wilson should easily beat out the likes of veterans Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe, and rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik. But riding the pine for an extended period while trying to potentially earn another big money deal probably doesn't sound all that appealing to him.

There's also the matter of the Jets simply being completely unable to muster a lick of offense for what feels like a decade now. Wilson would be asked to do a lot of things that he simply isn't fit for right now.

On the other hand, there's reportedly a lucrative offer out there for Wilson to join the media as early as this year. However, doing so would be a de facto acknowledgement that he's semi-retired.

While there have been players who started the year without a team and went on to get off the couch mid-season and lead the team on a run, those are few and far between.

Should Wilson take the Jets' offer, go into TV, or just wait and see what else happens first?

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 11:36 AM.