Will Russell Wilson succeed as an NFL analyst? Brock Huard has some advice
Former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is poised to enter a (somewhat) new industry.
It's still football, but Wilson won't be playing. Reports Monday said Wilson is finalizing a deal to become an analyst for CBS. The NFL Network reported the career move isn't a retirement announcement, rather Wilson is taking a "pause" from his playing career.
The 37-year-old quarterback played 10 seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks. He ended last season as a backup with the New York Giants and became a free agent in March.
There's been chatter and curiosity from NFL fans about what they can expect from the quarterback in this new venture. Only time will tell how Wilson fills the role left open by former Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, but he's not the first to make this transition.
Former Husky and NFL quarterback Brock Huard entered the media world almost two decades ago. He's a college football analyst for FOX and radio host with Seattle Sports 710 now, but he says he's worked his way up from the bottom." It's a different path than the one Wilson is set to take but similar learning curves should be expected.
Huard talked about what he'll be watching for as Wilson steps into the new role, his journey into the media world and what it takes to be successful.
‘Can he let his guard down?'
People have known Wilson as a quarterback for years. Now they'll know him as something else and Huard is interested to see how Wilson will present himself in the role.
"I will be curious to see how transparent he is," Huard said. "He was always so guarded as a player for 15 years, very coachspeak, very cliché driven. I will be very curious to see just how vulnerable and transparent he is. It isn't a have-to for success, it's not a through line for everybody, but I do think where maybe authenticity has been challenged at times for Russ, can he let his guard down and be vulnerable and real and transparent?"
A different start in the media world
Wilson's entry point to media is at the top of the industry. For Huard, it was different. When he started, a friend gave him the advice to try every medium and figure out what he liked the most.
He wrote a few articles for the Tacoma News Tribune, did some radio spots and had the opportunity to do some TV work. Going through that process helped him discover that he loved live game coverage.
"I had an eye for doing games," Huard said. "I did my first game, which was a UW vs. Boise State game and I was like, this fits my eye well and I love it. (Those experiences) helped me make some decisions and guide my career path."
In contrast, Wilson will walk into the studio and there are going to be "massive expectations" and "massive eyeballs" right off the bat.
"There are guys where it just doesn't come natural and they are totally exposed because they didn't get to do what I got to do, which is starting at a lower level and working your way up from the bottom," Huard said. "(Wilson) will be ready for it, but he's going to get thrown right into the fire and expectations. That's not always the easiest thing either."
A crucial skill to develop
One element of the job that's often overlooked is the amount of multitasking needed to be successful. Huard said being a quarterback often helps develop transferable skills. He pointed out that it's often former quarterbacks like Troy Aikman, Tony Romo and Terry Bradshaw in the booth.
"One of the biggest transitions … is the trait of being able to truly listen and not just have your pre-formed thought for when that guy finishes talking and it's your turn to talk," Huard said. "When you can actually listen and think at the same time, and that sounds simple, but under the fire of a game broadcast or in a studio with competing opinions, truly being able to listen to your peers and colleagues so you can respond with some insight and wisdom … rather than just talking."
What should stay the same
One thing that can't change is the work ethic and drive to get better each day, Huard said.
"One of the biggest things for Russell is to attack this profession with the same passion and work ethic, and he will," Huard said. "But also that curiosity factor of, 'How can I be great at doing this?' I think some of the very, very best that are doing it understand that. They don't ever just check in and check out. There's always a curiosity to do more.
"I'll be curious to watch how much investment (Wilson) puts into that and how much curiosity there is with that," Huard added. "There's no question that he'll attack the preparation because that's just second nature. It's what he's done from a programmatic standpoint for three decades of his life."
Preparation is a big part of the role, Huard said, but it's the ability to develop a unique opinion and think outside the box that makes people great. That's where he expects there might be a learning curve for Wilson.
"The vets at the top of the profession have typically put in the most work and the most sacrifice to climb that ladder and get there," Huard said.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 6:41 AM.