Aqib Talib Feels It’s Time For Russell Wilson to Retire

Aqib Talib wants veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to hang up his boots and accept the TV analyst job at CBS Sports.

Aqib Talib Feels It’s Time For Russell Wilson to Retire

Russell Wilson and Aqib Talib inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Aqib Talib advises Russell Wilson to retire and accept a TV analyst position with CBS Sports.
  • Interest from NFL teams in Wilson is minimal, with only the New York Jets monitoring his situation.
  • Wilson's past performance with the Giants was underwhelming, leading to speculation about his future role with the Jets.

Aqib Talib has urged Russell Wilson to hang up his boots. After that, Wilson should accept the offer from CBS Sports to become a TV analyst.

In a recent segment of The Arena Gridiron, the retired corner weighed in on Wilson’s plan to prolong his career, even though interest from NFL teams is few and far between. Only the New York Jets are monitoring his situation.

In the meantime, CBS Sports is eyeing Wilson as its lead player analyst. Talib suggested that Wilson should end his career now and take the CBS gig.

Do your TV thing Russ. It’s over with man. Once you got to decide, ‘Do I even want to play?’ I think you don’t really want to play. I hate [it] when guys get to the later part of their career and they start bounce around thing and you’re not going to win the chip in New York.

Aqib Talib said

Wilson met with the Jets earlier this month. According to the veteran signal caller, the AFC East franchise offered him a job. But he’s still assessing his options.

[The New York Jets] 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 [analysis], so we’ll see what happens.

Wilson said while attending BTIG Charity Day in New York

Last year, Wilson was part of the New York Giants. He beat out rookie Jaxson Dart to get the starter’s job. However, after just three appearances, the Giants coaching team replaced him with the Ole Miss alum. Wilson completed 69 passes for 831 yards, threw 3 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

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Can Russell Wilson start for the Jets in Week one?

If Wilson decides to brush aside Talib and Skip Bayless’ advice and ends up signing with the Jets, there’s very little chance he will get the starter’s job. He’s likely to serve as backup to his former subordinate, Geno Smith.

Aqib Talib Feels It's Time For Russell Wilson to Retire
Russell Wilson (Image via IMAGO)

Wilson and Smith shared a locker room for a few years in Seattle before the ten-time Pro Bowler left to sign with the Denver Broncos. Smith got the nod and produced his best numbers to date. Ahead of the 2025 season, Seattle traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he struggled to win games and was cut after the year ended.

Smith began his league career as a second round pick in 2013, the same year Wilson won his only Super Bowl ring.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn brought Smith back to the Big Apple because his Justin Fields experiment turned out to be a dud. Glenn is very confident that Smith is the right man for the Jets’ job.

I just feel like he’s the guy that’s going to lead us to the promised land.

Glenn told Rich Cimini of ESPN

Geno Smith reportedly advocated for the Jets to make a move on Russell Wilson

Wilson had a significant influence on Smith when they were together in Seattle. And Smith wouldn’t mind Wilson having his back this time.

Smith advocated for Wilson when team officials solicited his input on potential backups. The two developed a good relationship as [Seattle] Seahawks teammates in 2020 and 2021. In those seasons, Smith served as Wilson’s backup before ascending to the No. 1 job in 2022.

Cimini wrote

Even if the Jets don’t sign Wilson, they still have a stacked quarterback room, albeit a very inexperienced one. The Jets have undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook, journeyman Bailey Zappe, and 2026 fourth-round draft choice Cade Klubnik on their roster.

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