A former NFL star encouraged Russell Wilson to pursue a career change.
Wilson remains unsigned after spending his 14th NFL season with the New York Giants. The 37-year-old quarterback could be considering a new role, as The Athletic's Andrew Marchand previously reported that Wilson is in "deep discussions" on a TV job. The 10-time Pro Bowl had "lengthy" talks with CBS, whom Marchand labeled the favorites to sign Wilson.
Those conversations have Aqib Talib convinced that it's time for Wilson to hang up his cleats. The former All-Pro defensive back, who made his own move to broadcasting after retirement, advised Wilson to stop playing.
"He'll be great on TV," Talib said on Underdog's The Arena. "You gonna make a bunch of money. You gonna go to a major network out the gate. So ... it's over with, man. Once you got to decide, 'Do I even want to play?' I don't think you really want to play. Do your TV thing, Russ. It will be great for your legacy."
"I just hate that for him"
Talib feels Wilson should fully commit to a potential TV opportunity if he already has one foot out the door. He doesn't want the quarterback to overstay his welcome and retire on a sour note.
"I hate when guys get to the later part of their career and then they start doing the bounce-around thing," Talib said. "I just hate that for him, man. You got a great career."
Wilson said earlier this month that he was deliberating an offer from the New York Jets. He'd likely back up his former Seattle Seahawks understudy, Geno Smith.
Talib doesn't think Wilson should go to a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2010. The Jets would mark his fourth different team in as many years after a decade in Seattle.
"You're not going to win no 'chip in New York," Talib warned Wilson. "That's just going to be another stop on your resume. So, I don't see why he would do it."
