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 a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before joining the Steelers, he played for the Seattle Seahawks for 10 seasons, leading them to their first Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XLVIII). He also played for the Denver Broncos for 2 seasons. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Wilson is considered one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history due to his ability to both pass effectively and run with the ball.
2004: Ben Roethlisberger's Record
In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger set a rookie record for passer rating, which Russell Wilson surpassed in 2012.
2007: Drafted by Baltimore Orioles
In 2007, after graduating high school, Russell Wilson was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the fifth pick in the 41st round of the MLB draft.
2008: Leads NC State to Winning Streak
In 2008, Russell Wilson led the NC State team to a 4-3 record, finishing the regular season on a four-game winning streak.
2008: NC State Wolfpack Baseball Team
In 2008, Russell Wilson was a member of the NC State Wolfpack baseball team.
2009: Breaks NCAA Record
In 2009, Russell Wilson broke Andre Woodson's all-time NCAA record of 325 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, reaching 379.
2009: Played for Gastonia Grizzlies
In the summer of 2009, Russell Wilson played for the Gastonia Grizzlies, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League.
June 8, 2010: Drafted by Colorado Rockies
On June 8, 2010, Russell Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the MLB draft.
2010: NC State Wolfpack Baseball Team
In 2010, Russell Wilson was a member of the NC State Wolfpack baseball team.
April 29, 2011: Granted Release from Scholarship
On April 29, 2011, Russell Wilson was granted a release from his football scholarship with one year of eligibility left.
June 27, 2011: Commits to Wisconsin
On June 27, 2011, Russell Wilson committed to Wisconsin for the 2011 season.
2011: Played for Asheville Tourists
In the summer of 2011, Russell Wilson played for the Asheville Tourists, the Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies in the South Atlantic League.
January 2012: Pursuing a career in the NFL
In January 2012, Russell Wilson informed the Rockies that he would be pursuing a career in the NFL and would not report to spring training.
January 16, 2012: Training for NFL Combine
On January 16, 2012, Russell Wilson began training for the NFL Scouting Combine.
February 2012: Draft Projections
In February 2012, Chris Weinke suggested that Russell Wilson would likely be the No. 1 pick in the draft if he were taller.
April 26, 2012: Signs with 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: Signs Contract with Seahawks
On May 7, 2012, Russell Wilson signed a four-year 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 2012: Endorsements
Since being named the starting quarterback of the Seahawks in August 2012, Russell Wilson has appeared in advertisements for multiple companies.
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 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
November 10, 2012: Record Broken
On November 10, 2012, Russell Wilson's record for consecutive pass attempts without interception was broken by Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron.
2012: Charitable Involvement
In 2012, Russell Wilson was actively volunteering in the Seattle community, visiting Seattle Children's Hospital and soldiers, and proceeds from his football camp went to the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association, for which he served as National Ambassador.
2012: Rookie Season Success
In the 2012 regular season, Russell Wilson tied the rookie record for most touchdowns thrown and ranked high in passer rating, earning comparisons to Fran Tarkenton.
December 12, 2013: Acquired by Texas Rangers
On December 12, 2013, Russell Wilson was acquired from the Rockies by the Texas Rangers in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.
December 27, 2013: Named to Second Pro Bowl
On December 27, 2013, Russell Wilson was named to his second Pro Bowl team, marking another early career achievement.
2013: "Invested with Russell" Program
In 2013, Russell Wilson partnered with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, donating $3,000 to his charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.
2013: Pro Bowl Selection
In 2013, Russell Wilson was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
January 19, 2014: Seahawks Win NFC Championship, Advance to Super Bowl XLVIII
On January 19, 2014, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, advancing to Super Bowl XLVIII.
September 21, 2014: Seahawks defeat Broncos in Super Bowl Rematch
On September 21, 2014, Russell Wilson led the Seahawks on an 80-yard touchdown drive in overtime to defeat the Denver Broncos, 26–20, in a Week 3 Super Bowl rematch.
October 6, 2014: Sets Monday Night Football Rushing Record
On October 6, 2014, against the Washington Redskins, Russell Wilson set a new Monday Night Football record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 122 yards.
December 21, 2014: Career High Passing Yards Against Cardinals
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, also leading the offense to a franchise-record 596 yards in a game.
2014: Rangers Spring Training
In 2014, Russell Wilson attended Rangers spring training in Surprise, Arizona.
2014: Part-owner of Eat the Ball
In 2014, Russell Wilson became part-owner and endorser of Eat the Ball, a European bread company.
2014: "Invested with Russell" Program Continued
In 2014, Russell Wilson continued his partnership with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, donating $3,000 to his charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.
July 31, 2015: Signs Contract Extension with Seahawks
On July 31, 2015, Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $87.6 million contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks, becoming the second-highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.
December 22, 2015: Named to Third Pro Bowl
On December 22, 2015, Russell Wilson was named to his third Pro Bowl, adding to his list of accolades.
2015: Rangers Spring Training
In 2015, Russell Wilson attended Rangers spring training in Surprise, Arizona.
2015: Endorses Luvo and Reliant Recovery Water
In 2015, Russell Wilson began endorsing Luvo, a frozen food company, and Reliant Recovery Water.
February 29, 2016: Launched Good Man Brand
On February 29, 2016, Russell Wilson launched Good Man Brand, a clothing line which he co-founded.
August 2016: Why Not You Foundation Raised $1,060,005
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: Partnered with Juice Press
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: Joins Investment Group for Seattle Arena
On November 14, 2016, Russell Wilson joined an investment group to bring a new sports arena to Seattle's SoDo neighborhood.
2016: Dak Prescott's Record
In 2016, Dak Prescott surpassed Russell Wilson's 2012 rookie record for passer rating.
September 5, 2017: Voted Seahawks Offensive Captain
On September 5, 2017, Russell Wilson was voted Seahawks offensive captain for the fifth consecutive season, showing his leadership within the team.
September 8, 2017: TraceMe Launch
In 2017, Russell Wilson founded TraceMe. TraceMe launched its public beta on September 8, 2017, and announced $9 million in Series A funding.
November 20, 2017: Invests in VICIS
On November 20, 2017, Russell Wilson invested in football helmet manufacturer VICIS.
December 19, 2017: Named to Fourth Pro Bowl
On December 19, 2017, Russell Wilson was named to his fourth Pro Bowl, adding another honor to his career.
February 7, 2018: Traded to New York Yankees
On February 7, 2018, Russell Wilson was traded from the Rangers to the New York Yankees and assigned to the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.
July 2018: Investor and Endorser for Molecule
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.
April 16, 2019: Signs Contract Extension, Becomes Highest Paid Player
On April 16, 2019, Russell Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Seahawks, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL.
2019: Signs 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.
January 2020: Chairman of NFL FLAG
In January 2020, Russell Wilson was named Chairman of NFL FLAG. The global partnership will focus on strengthening NFL FLAG domestically and expanding the league internationally.
March 2020: Donation of One Million Meals
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: Throws 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: Walter Payton Man of the Year
In 2020, Russell Wilson was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his philanthropy.
September 2021: Announced Children's Book
In September 2021, Russell Wilson and Ciara announced that they were writing a children's book called "Why Not You?".
March 1, 2022: Release of "Why Not You?"
On March 1, 2022, "Why Not You?", the children's book co-written by Russell Wilson, Ciara, and JaNay Brown-Wood, was released and became a New York Times bestseller.
March 16, 2022: Traded to Denver Broncos
On March 16, 2022, the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos.
September 1, 2022: Signs Contract Extension with Broncos
On September 1, 2022, Russell Wilson signed a five-year contract extension with the Broncos for $245 million.
2022: Traded to Denver Broncos
In 2022, Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos and signed a five-year, $245 million extension.
2023: Benched by the Broncos
Near the end of the 2023 season, Russell Wilson was benched by the Denver Broncos.
March 4, 2024: Broncos Announce Wilson's Release
On March 4, 2024, the Broncos announced that Russell Wilson would be released on March 13.
March 15, 2024: Signed with Pittsburgh Steelers
On March 15, 2024, Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the veteran's minimum.
