Russell Wilson’s Brutal Truth on Caleb Williams & Trevor Lawrence Stuns NFL
Russell Wilson’s New Job: From Super Bowl QB to TV Analyst — His Takes on the NFL’s Young Stars
Introduction: A New Chapter for Russell Wilson
Imagine playing professional football for over a decade, winning a Super Bowl, and then… switching gears to sit behind a desk and talk about the game on TV. That’s exactly what Russell Wilson is doing now!
- Who is he? A former NFL quarterback who played 12 seasons (10 with the Seattle Seahawks, 1 with the Denver Broncos, and 1 with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
- What’s new? In 2024, he joined CBS Sports’ "The NFL Today" as an analyst.
- His first big appearance? Tuesday at the "NFL on CBS" media day, where he shared his thoughts on the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.
Important Point: Wilson wasn’t just any rookie — he won the starting job as a third-round pick in 2012, started all 16 games, made the Pro Bowl, and won a Super Bowl in his second year. So when he talks about young QBs, he knows what he’s seeing.
Wilson on Caleb Williams: "He Reminds Me of Me"
The Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams (the #1 overall pick in the 2024 draft) caught Wilson’s eye immediately.
Why Wilson Sees Himself in Williams:
- Playmaking magic: Both can create something out of nothing.
- Throwing on the run: Accurate passes while scrambling? Check.
- Escaping pressure: "Spins out of the pocket" — just like young Russ.
- Clutch gene: Williams led the NFL with six fourth-quarter comebacks in the regular season… and added another in a wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers.
Important Point: Williams took 68 sacks as a rookie (yikes!), but only 24 in Year 2 — showing he’s learning to protect himself, just like Wilson did.
By the Numbers: Caleb Williams vs. Russell Wilson (First 2 Seasons)
| Stat | Caleb Williams | Russell Wilson |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Touchdowns | 47 | 52 |
| Interceptions | 13 | 19 |
| Completion % | 60.3% | 63.6% |
| Rushing Yards | 877 | 1,028 |
| 4th-Quarter Comebacks | 8 | 6 |
Takeaway: Williams has more fourth-quarter comebacks already — but Wilson threw more TDs and ran for more yards. Both took care of the ball well (low INTs for young QBs).
Kyle Long’s Advice: "Fix the Second Quarter"
Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long (also a new analyst on "The NFL Today") had a specific tip for Williams:
"The next step for Caleb is finishing the second quarter as strong as he finishes the fourth quarter."
Why the 2nd Quarter Matters:
- Games are often won/lost before halftime.
- "Stealing an extra possession" before the break = huge momentum swing.
- If Chicago dominates the 2nd quarter, they control the game.
Wilson’s 2026 Breakout Pick: Trevor Lawrence
When asked who’ll break out in 2026, Wilson didn’t pick a rookie — he picked Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars, 5th-year pro).
Why Lawrence?
- Elite talent — Wilson sees the tools.
- Great supporting cast — Good players around him.
- Year 2 with OC Liam Coen — Continuity! They know each other now.
- Hot finish to 2024 — Jags won their last 8 regular-season games with Lawrence playing at an elite level.
Important Point: In the NFL, year 2 in the same offense is often when QBs explode. Lawrence + Coen = potential superstar season.
Wilson on His Ex-Teammate: Jaxson Dart (NY Giants)
Wilson played with Jaxson Dart on the New York Giants in 2024 (Dart’s rookie year). Now Dart enters Year 2 with:
- New coach: John Harbaugh (wait — John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens. This is likely a typo in the original; probably Brian Daboll or new staff. But we’ll stick to the source.)
- New OC: Matt Nagy
What Wilson Loves About Dart:
- Tremendous competitiveness
- Great work ethic
- Special mobility (can run & move)
- Short memory — "playing the next play" (crucial for QBs)
Concerns?
- Dart was checked for concussions 5 times (1 diagnosed, missed 2 games).
- Good news: He earned praise for sliding in bounds at training camp — smart, safe football.
Important Point: Wilson says Dart "knows how to do it, he’ll be great at it, and he’ll be able to ball out." High praise from a Super Bowl champ.
Wilson on NFC East Rival: Jayden Daniels (Commanders)
Wilson faced Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) in Week 1 of 2024 — but not in their late-season game (Daniels was out with an elbow injury, his third injury of the year).
Wilson’s Verdict:
- "He’ll have a great year this year."
- "Come back healthy, ready to rock and roll."
- "Crazy good talent — ability to run AND throw is super exceptional."
Note: Daniels had a historic rookie season (if healthy), and Wilson believes Year 2 will be even better.
When Can You See Wilson on TV?
Mark your calendar:
September 13 — Russell Wilson makes his debut on "The NFL Today" alongside:
- James Brown (Emmy-winning host)
- Bill Cowher (Super Bowl-winning coach)
- Nate Burleson (former WR, great analyst)
- Kyle Long (former Bears OL, Wilson’s new desk mate)
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Russell Wilson is now a TV analyst — and he’s already dropping smart, experienced takes.
- Caleb Williams = young Russ — playmaking, mobility, clutch moments, but needs to clean up 2nd quarters.
- Trevor Lawrence = 2026 breakout candidate — Year 2 with same OC = big leap potential.
- Jaxson Dart = tough, mobile, smart — Wilson’s former teammate has "it."
- Jayden Daniels = elite dual-threat — if healthy, he’s a nightmare for defenses.
- Debut: Sept 13 — Tune in to see Wilson in his new role!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why does Russell Wilson’s opinion matter?
He was a franchise QB for 10+ years, won a Super Bowl, made 9 Pro Bowls, and played the position at the highest level. He knows what "great" looks like.
2. What’s a "fourth-quarter comeback"?
When a QB leads his team from a deficit (losing) in the 4th quarter to a win. Williams did this 8 times in 2 seasons — that’s elite clutch performance.
3. Why is "Year 2 in the same offense" such a big deal?
Learning an NFL offense is like learning a new language. Year 1 = survival. Year 2 = fluency. QBs often jump from "good" to "great" in Year 2 with the same coordinator.
4. What does "sliding in bounds" mean and why does it matter?
When a QB runs, he can slide feet-first to give himself up (avoid a hit). Doing it in bounds keeps the clock running — smart clock management. Shows Dart is learning situational football.
5. Is the "John Harbaugh" mention for the Giants a mistake?
Yes, likely. John Harbaugh has coached the Baltimore Ravens since 2008. The Giants’ 2025 coach is Brian Daboll (or a new hire if changed). The original article may have had a typo — we preserved it but flagged it here.
Final Thought: Russell Wilson isn’t just watching football anymore — he’s teaching it. And if his first takes are this sharp, "The NFL Today" just got a whole lot smarter.