Career Timeline of Russell Wilson: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Russell Wilson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback currently playing for the New York Giants. He is best known for his successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned nine Pro Bowl selections and led the team to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson is recognized as a prominent dual-threat quarterback, lauded for his ability to both pass and run effectively. Before his successful NFL career, he also played professional baseball.
2007: Redshirted at NC State
Russell Wilson redshirted during the 2007 season at NC State.
2008: Led NC State Football Team
In 2008, Russell Wilson led the NC State football team to a 4-3 record in the regular season.
2008: Played for NC State Wolfpack
In 2008, Russell Wilson played both college football and baseball for the NC State Wolfpack.
2008: Played in PapaJohns.com Bowl
In 2008, during the PapaJohns.com Bowl against Rutgers, Russell Wilson suffered a knee sprain, and the team lost 29-23.
2009: Named to Pre-Season All-ACC Football Team
Prior to the 2009 season, Russell Wilson was named quarterback of the pre-season all-ACC football team on July 12.
June 8, 2010: Wilson drafted by the Colorado Rockies
On June 8, 2010, Russell Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round (140th pick overall) of the 2010 MLB draft.
2010: Played for NC State Wolfpack and Tri-City Dust Devils
In 2010, Russell Wilson continued to play college football and baseball for the NC State Wolfpack, and he also played minor league baseball for the Tri-City Dust Devils.
January 2011: Reported to Spring Training with Rockies
In January 2011, Russell Wilson announced that he would report to spring training with the Colorado Rockies organization.
April 29, 2011: Granted Release from Football Scholarship
On April 29, 2011, Russell Wilson was granted a release from his football scholarship with one year of eligibility left at NC State.
June 27, 2011: Committed to Wisconsin
On June 27, 2011, Russell Wilson committed to Wisconsin for the 2011 season.
December 2011: Wins MVP at Big Ten Championship
In December 2011, Russell Wilson was named the Grange-Griffin MVP after leading the Badgers to a 42-39 win over the Michigan State Spartans in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.
2011: Played for Asheville Tourists and Wisconsin Badgers
In 2011, Russell Wilson played minor league baseball for the Asheville Tourists as a second baseman and transferred to play football for the Wisconsin Badgers.
2011: Failed to Receive NFL Combine Invitation
In 2011, despite efforts by NC State coaches, Russell Wilson did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.
January 2, 2012: Played in the Rose Bowl
On January 2, 2012, Russell Wilson played in the Rose Bowl against the Oregon Ducks, losing by a score of 45-38.
January 16, 2012: Began Training for NFL Scouting Combine
On January 16, 2012, Russell Wilson began training for the NFL Scouting Combine at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
January 28, 2012: Completed College Career at Senior Bowl
On January 28, 2012, Russell Wilson completed his college football career at the 2012 Senior Bowl.
February 2012: Weinke Comments on Wilson
In February 2012, former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke said of Russell Wilson, "If he was 6-5, he'd probably be the No. 1 pick in the draft."
April 11, 2012: Gruden Comments on Wilson's Height
On April 11, 2012, ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden commented on Russell Wilson, mentioning that his height may be the reason he's not picked in the first couple rounds.
April 26, 2012: Wilson chooses marketing agency
On April 26, 2012, Russell Wilson announced he had chosen French/West/Vaughan as his marketing, public relations, and endorsements agency.
May 7, 2012: Signed contract with the Seahawks
On May 7, 2012, Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $2.99 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
August 11, 2012: Preseason Debut
On August 11, 2012, Russell Wilson made his preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans.
August 26, 2012: Named Starting Quarterback
On August 26, 2012, Russell Wilson was named the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks' first regular season game.
September 9, 2012: Regular Season Debut
On September 9, 2012, Russell Wilson made his regular season debut in a 20–16 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
November 10, 2012: Record Broken by Colby Cameron
On November 10, 2012, Russell Wilson's record was broken by Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron
December 2012: Earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month
In December 2012, Russell Wilson earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors.
2012: Record-Breaking Rookie Season
In 2012, Russell Wilson concluded the regular season with the fourth-highest passer rating in the NFL at 100.0, surpassing Ben Roethlisberger's rookie record from 2004. He matched Peyton Manning's rookie record for touchdown passes with 26 and added 489 rushing yards with four touchdowns, drawing comparisons to Fran Tarkenton due to his mobility.
2012: Russell Wilson Passing Academy
In 2012, Russell Wilson hosted the Russell Wilson Passing Academy, a youth football camp, with proceeds going to the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association, for which Wilson is the National Ambassador.
December 27, 2013: Second Pro Bowl Selection
On December 27, 2013, Russell Wilson was named to his second Pro Bowl.
2013: Invested with Russell Program
In 2013, Russell Wilson partnered with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, which donated $3,000 to Wilson's charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.
2013: Pro Bowl Alternate
In 2013, Russell Wilson was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl, filling in for Matt Ryan. During the Pro Bowl game on January 27, he completed eight of ten passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns, achieving a 147.1 rating.
January 19, 2014: NFC Championship Victory
On January 19, 2014, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship with a score of 23-17, advancing to Super Bowl XLVIII.
September 21, 2014: Overtime Victory Against the Broncos
On September 21, 2014, Russell Wilson led the Seahawks on an 80-yard touchdown drive in overtime to secure a 26-20 victory against the Denver Broncos in a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch during Week 3.
October 6, 2014: Monday Night Football Rushing Record
On October 6, 2014, Russell Wilson set a new Monday Night Football record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 122 yards against the Washington Redskins. This also marked a single-game franchise record for a Seahawks quarterback.
December 21, 2014: Career-High Passing Yards and Franchise Record
On December 21, 2014, Russell Wilson threw for a then-career-high 339 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, leading the Seahawks offense to gain a franchise-record 596 yards in the game.
2014: Invested with Russell Program
In 2014, Russell Wilson continued his partnership with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, which donated $3,000 to Wilson's charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.
July 31, 2015: Contract Extension
On July 31, 2015, the Seahawks and Russell Wilson agreed to a four-year, $87.6 million contract extension, making him the second-highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.
December 22, 2015: Third Pro Bowl Selection
On December 22, 2015, Russell Wilson was named to his third Pro Bowl.
2015: TV and Film Appearances
In 2015, Russell Wilson appeared in the film Entourage and on Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Charlie Rose. He also hosted the Kids' Choice Sports on Nickelodeon.
February 29, 2016: Wilson launches Good Man Brand clothing line
On February 29, 2016, Russell Wilson launched Good Man Brand, a clothing line which he co-founded.
August 2016: Why Not You Foundation Fundraiser
In August 2016, Russell Wilson's Why Not You Foundation raised $1,060,005 for the Seattle Children's Hospital's Strong Against Cancer initiative.
August 2016: Wilson partners with Juice Press to open Seattle franchise
In August 2016, it was announced that Russell Wilson had partnered with Juice Press to open the company's first Seattle franchise.
November 14, 2016: Wilson joins investment group for Seattle sports arena
On November 14, 2016, Russell Wilson announced he had joined Chris Hansen, Wally Walker, and Erik and Pete Nordstrom as partners in the investment group working to bring a new sports arena to Seattle's SoDo neighborhood for potential NBA and NHL teams.
2016: Solid Season Despite Injuries
Despite injuries, Russell Wilson started all 16 games in the 2016 season, recording a career-high 4,219 passing yards and 21 passing touchdowns. However, he had a career-worst game with five interceptions in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks finished with a 10-5-1 record and won the NFC West.
2016: Hosted Kids' Choice Sports
In 2016, Russell Wilson hosted the Kids' Choice Sports on Nickelodeon.
2016: Keynote Speaker at Wisconsin
In 2016, Russell Wilson was the keynote speaker for the commencement address at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
2016: Pro Bowl Offensive MVP
In the 2016 Pro Bowl, Russell Wilson was drafted first overall by Team Irvin and was named the Pro Bowl offensive MVP after completing eight of 12 passes for 164 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, resulting in a 149.3 rating.
September 5, 2017: Offensive Captain
On September 5, 2017, Russell Wilson was voted Seahawks offensive captain for the fifth consecutive season.
September 8, 2017: TraceMe Public Beta Launch
On September 8, 2017, Russell Wilson's fan network platform, TraceMe, launched its public beta and announced $9 million in Series A funding, with investors including Jeff Bezos' Bezos Expeditions, Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley.
November 20, 2017: Investment in VICIS
On November 20, 2017, Russell Wilson was included as an investor in a $7 million investment round for VICIS, a football helmet manufacturer.
December 19, 2017: Fourth Pro Bowl Selection
On December 19, 2017, Russell Wilson was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.
2017: Hosted Kids' Choice Sports
In 2017, Russell Wilson hosted the Kids' Choice Sports on Nickelodeon.
February 7, 2018: Wilson traded to the New York Yankees
On February 7, 2018, Russell Wilson was traded from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees and assigned to the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. He grew up as a Yankees fan.
July 2018: Molecule Investment and Endorsement
In July 2018, Russell Wilson became an investor and endorser for Molecule, a mattress company.
September 2018: Wheaties Cereal Box Cover
In September 2018, Russell Wilson was announced as the next athlete to appear on the cover of the Wheaties cereal box.
2018: Named Captain for Seahawks
In 2018, Russell Wilson was once again named as a captain for the Seahawks.
April 16, 2019: Wilson signs contract extension with Seahawks
On April 16, 2019, Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks, making him the highest paid player in the NFL at that time. The contract kept him with the Seahawks through the 2023 season.
2019: Signed contract extension with Seahawks
In 2019, Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the highest-paid NFL player at the time.
2019: Sixth Pro Bowl Selection
In 2019, Russell Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career, replacing Aaron Rodgers.
January 2020: Chairman of NFL FLAG
In January 2020, Russell Wilson was named Chairman of NFL FLAG, focusing on strengthening the league domestically and expanding it internationally. He also worked with flag football organizations in China, Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Around the same time, Wilson and Ciara struck a first look deal with Amazon Studios.
March 2020: COVID-19 Meal Donation
In March 2020, Russell Wilson and Ciara partnered with Food Lifeline to donate one million meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Threw 30 Touchdowns for Fourth Consecutive Season
In 2020, Russell Wilson became the third quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
2020: Named Walter Payton Man of the Year
In 2020, Russell Wilson was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his philanthropy.
September 2021: Announcement of Children's Book
In September 2021, Russell Wilson and Ciara announced that they were writing a children's book called Why Not You? to help kids pursue their dreams.
2021: Keynote Speaker at NC State
In 2021, Russell Wilson was the keynote speaker for the commencement address at North Carolina State University.
March 1, 2022: Release of Children's Book
On March 1, 2022, Why Not You?, the children's book co-written by Russell Wilson, Ciara, and JaNay Brown-Wood and published by Random House, was released and became a New York Times bestseller.
March 16, 2022: Wilson traded to the Broncos
On March 16, 2022, Russell Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos, along with a fourth-round pick, in exchange for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant.
September 1, 2022: Wilson signs contract extension with the Broncos
On September 1, 2022, Russell Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos.
2022: Keynote Speaker at Dartmouth College
In 2022, Russell Wilson was the keynote speaker at Dartmouth College's commencement.
2022: Traded to the Broncos
In 2022, Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos and later signed a five-year, $245 million extension.
2023: Benched Near End of Season
Near the end of the 2023 season, Russell Wilson was benched by the Broncos.
March 15, 2024: Wilson signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
On March 15, 2024, Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the veteran's minimum of $1.2 million. He was later named the starting quarterback before being ruled out due to a calf injury sustained during practice on September 5.
March 26, 2025: Wilson signs with New York Giants
On March 26, 2025, Russell Wilson signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the New York Giants. The team announced that Wilson would be their starting quarterback to open the regular season, despite signing Jameis Winston and drafting Jaxson Dart.
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