The dichotomy of Russell Wilson’s future is arguably an unwanted offseason ritual at this point. Given his stellar fall in productivity and little chance of a bounce back, it’s not hard to understand why either. What felt like a momentary slump, a 6-8 record at the Seahawks in 2021, quickly transformed into a two-season trip to Denver ending with an 11-19 record until Sean Payton couldn’t wait to dump him. His next two stints at the Steelers (6-5) and the Giants (0-3, until Dart replaced him) also proved the same: It might be time to hang up the cleats. But it wasn’t until now that the NFL poster boy for “toxic positivity” is finally cracking under pressure.

While Wilson was spectacularly upbeat and ready to give the gridiron a go again and again and then some in past seasons, his latest interview kind of proves otherwise. Despite receiving an offer from the New York Jets (for a position we’ll definitely need to dissect later) after he visited the team facility in late April, the 37-year-old was seen contemplating his future for the first time.

“They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do,” Wilson told The New York Post on Wednesday. “I still know I can play ball and do that at a high level, but I also have the opportunity to do TV, so we’ll see what happens.”

Now, this is spectacular for two reasons. Number one, this comes just months after the quarterback was comparing himself to the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to explain his own drive.

“I think about certain guys. I think about Elway, even Peyton Manning himself,” the signal caller said in March. “Some of ’em didn’t win till the end. Even Tom himself, who played till 45, has been the greatest example for anybody at this position. I think it’s about being around the right people, [at] the right time.

I feel healthy, I feel great. But I think more than anything else, do you love the game? Do you love studying? Do u have the passion for it all? Do you love the process? Do you love the practice? Everybody loves the winning part, but it’s the process, the journey that you gotta be obsessed with. And that part, I’m obsessed with. Being around the fellas in the locker room and all that.”

“I’m not blinking,” Wilson had also said in January. “I know what I’m capable of. I think I showed that in Dallas. I want to be able to do that again, and just be ready to rock and roll, and be as healthy as possible and be ready to play ball.

In fact, the veteran player even switched to Athletes First superagent David Mulugheta, who represents high-profile players including Deshaun Watson, C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields, from his longtime agent Mark Rodgers in hopes of a career rejuvenation. But why the sudden detour then? Perhaps Wilson is suddenly remembering the success he achieved off the field last year.

Notably, during the Giants’ bye week, the quarterback had joined CBS Sports as a guest analyst for the Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens Week 14 matchup. While some fans criticized his commentary style as overly polished, dull, or inauthentic, Wilson got appreciation from where it actually mattered.

Former QB Matt Ryan, who was also part of the studio panel that day, called Wilson a “natural” who was “comfortable on camera”. The irony of the situation is if the 10x Pro Bowler does end up taking the TV gig, it is Ryan he will be replacing.

As things stand, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback is going back to the same team, this time as the president of football. On the other hand, as The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported, Wilson is in “deep discussions” to join the network. In that case, Wilson will at least be able to mirror Brady as a broadcaster, if not as a Super Bowl winner during the twilight of his career. Because the situation with the Jets makes that Lombardi dream even more unlikely…

Reports state that the Jets are only looking at him to start as a backup quarterback behind Geno Smith, something Wilson hasn’t done in his 14-season career.

Well, at least it helps that…

Russell Wilson has great ties with Geno Smith

Although Geno Smith is a known name among the Jets fans, he joined them this year after spending last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Moreover, he also has a good relationship with Wilson as they shared the locker room while playing for the Seattle Seahawks. Even Wilson is excited about the offer.

“Geno is a great guy,” said Russell Wilson. “We’ve been great friends, great teammates.”

Surprisingly, while playing for the Seahawks, Wilson was the starter, and Smith was the backup. And now, the roles are reversed. Wilson was also the backup to Jaxson Dart last year for the New York Giants. Regardless, he has shown that he can still perform at the highest level.

Last season, he started three games, recorded 831 passing yards and three touchdowns with a 58% passing rate. Wilson has 353 passing touchdowns and is just 34 passing yards short of totaling 47,000 passing yards.

For him, both options are lucrative. Now, it is up to him which road he wants to venture. Does he walk towards his 15th year in the NFL? Or does he walk a different path and join broadcast television as an analyst?