Gonzalez questions Russell Wilson Hall of Fame prospects amid benching
Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and former teammates weigh in as Wilson’s latest NFL chapter with the Giants unfolds with uncertainty
Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez questioned whether Russell Wilson will ever wear a gold jacket, remarking on Prime Video’s coverage of Thursday night’s Seahawks-Cardinals game that Wilson’s career trajectory since leaving Seattle has raised serious questions about a Hall of Fame résumé. Gonzalez said, “Honestly, I hope we have. … If ever there was somebody who played himself out of a Hall of Fame, it’s Russell Wilson. And I say that because look at what’s happened. Ever since he left Seattle — when he was in Seattle, he was the man. He was making these good plays. He won a Super Bowl, went to two of them.”
Gonzalez’s comments highlighted the quarterback’s post-Seattle arc, including a high-profile stint with the Denver Broncos, a brief, one-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his 2024 season with the New York Giants. He argued that the big contracts and dramatic changes after leaving Seattle have not translated into sustained success elsewhere. “But as soon as he left there, he went to Denver — signed that big old deal. They paid him $39 million to leave. He goes to Pittsburgh, plays there one year, he’s out of there. Now he goes (to New York) and has three games. I just don’t know if it’s gonna get any better, and I don’t want to see him on a sideline holding a clipboard. I don’t think he’s done himself any favors since he left Seattle. And how’s it gonna get better? I don’t know.”
Richard Sherman, a former member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom, also weighed in, arguing Wilson’s career should be evaluated in the context of the defense that helped him win and reach top stages. “I agree. I think you’ve got to judge his career off when the ‘Legion of Boom’ was there — he had a legendary defense, an all-time defense and how much success he had — and then without that legendary defense,” Sherman said. “He was a winning football player in Seattle. And now you get to go on your own, and you get to prove, ‘Hey, I’m this great quarterback. I’m this guy that’s gonna be dominant.’ And it just hasn’t worked out that way.”
Wilson, drafted in the third round in 2012, developed from a rookie game manager into one of the league’s most mobile and improvisational passers. After leading Seattle to a Super Bowl title and two appearances, he found himself traded to Denver after the 2021 season, a move that set the stage for a turbulent stretch that has drawn amplified scrutiny as he began this season with the Giants. The Giants dropped their Week 3 game to the Kansas City Chiefs to remain winless entering their Week 4 matchup with the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson also had a notable, albeit uneven, showing in a Week 2 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Following the benching, Wilson remained confident in his own abilities. “I know I'm a winner,” he said Wednesday after losing the starting role. “I know having the championship mentality. Winners don't pick and choose. Leaders don't pick and choose when they want to lead and when they want to help and communicate like a winner or whatever that may be. Those are the things that I know and I can control. So, that's what I'm focused on.”
The Giants then tapped rookie Jaxson Dart to start in place of Wilson, with Dart scheduled to make his first career start in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. The exchange marks a turning point in a career that began with high expectations in Seattle and now stands at a crossroads in New York, where onlookers are watching to see whether Wilson can recapture the form that carried him to a Super Bowl title and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
As the season progresses, Wilson’s performance, the surrounding personnel changes, and the reactions from Gonzalez and Sherman will continue to shape the ongoing conversation about his legacy and whether he can reestablish his standing among NFL quarterbacks. While the future remains uncertain, the discussion around Hall of Fame credentials underscores the broader narrative of a career that peaked in Seattle and has since entered an extended, scrutinized chapter with the Giants.
As Wilson and Dart prepare for Sunday’s game, the league will continue to assess not only on-field production but also the long-term impact of Wilson’s decisions and the durability of his legacy, including the lasting contributions of his Seahawks-era achievements and how they’re weighed against recent seasons with other teams.
