The Free Agency market is starting to buzz, and one name at the center of the action is former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. After a slow initial phase of the legal tampering window, word has come in that Wilson has made arrangements to visit the Cleveland Browns this week, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Adding to the intrigue, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that Wilson is set to touch down in Cleveland before heading to New York that very night to meet with the Giants.
It’s been a whirlwind for Wilson lately. He began the 2024 season nursing a calf injury but took the reins as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. During his 11 starts, he guided the team to a 6-5 record, showcasing his abilities with 2,482 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. It’s clear that Wilson still has plenty to offer, even if his past couple of seasons have been rocky.
Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft after a standout college career at NC State and Wisconsin, Wilson quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. Over the course of ten seasons in Seattle, he earned nine Pro Bowl nods, clinched a Super Bowl victory with a thrilling performance in XLVIII, and was honored as the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
However, after the Broncos traded for Wilson in 2022, expectations soared, but the reality fell short. His time in Denver, while showing improvement in his second year under Head Coach Sean Payton, ultimately led to the team moving on from him during the offseason, paving the way for his signing with the Steelers.
Now, the timing of Wilson’s visits is particularly noteworthy. As the New York Jets’ free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers weighs his options between the Steelers and the Giants, Wilson finds himself in a unique position as a potential alternative for both franchises. If the Browns were to sign Wilson ahead of Rodgers’ decision, it could throw a wrench into the plans of both the Giants and the Steelers, leaving them on the hunt for a new QB1.
In essence, Wilson’s visits to both Cleveland and New York could prove pivotal. The landscape of the quarterback market is shifting, and Russell Wilson could once again find himself in the spotlight of the NFL’s quarterback carousel.
