The New York Giants have their quarterback solution – for now, at least – and Russell Wilson has his next NFL team.
Wilson is set to sign with the Giants as an unrestricted free agent, two people familiar with the deliberations said Tuesday.
The Giants were believed to have been in the running to sign free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers following his release earlier this month by the New York Jets. But Rodgers visited the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, reinforcing the notion that the Steelers are the front-runners to sign him. The Giants agreed to a deal later Friday with another free agent quarterback, Jameis Winston. They possess the No. 3 pick in next month’s draft and could choose a quarterback.
If so, Wilson could be the starter to open the season as a prized rookie waits his turn. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are widely regarded as the top quarterbacks in this draft class. Ward could be taken before the Giants’ selection, unless they trade up in the draft order.
Wilson, 36, is headed to his fourth team following 10 highly successful seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, two turbulent seasons with the Denver Broncos and last season’s mixed bag with the Steelers.
He signed a minimum-salary contract with the Steelers last offseason after being released by the Broncos, who were obligated to pay him $37.79 million for last season. The Steelers paid him $1.21 million. Wilson was hindered by a calf injury early in the season as the Steelers went 4-2 with another newcomer, Justin Fields, as their starter. But Coach Mike Tomlin went to Wilson as the starter thereafter.
Wilson threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns in his 11 regular season starts and was selected to his 10th Pro Bowl. But the Steelers, after winning six of his first seven starts, lost their final four games of the regular season and then were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.
Wilson had expressed a desire to re-sign with the Steelers. Team officials had said they were interested in re-signing either Wilson or Fields. But Fields agreed earlier this month to a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets to replace Rodgers. And now Wilson heads to the Giants to potentially replace Daniel Jones, who was benched and then released last season.
Wilson made recent free agent visits to the Giants and Cleveland Browns. He visited the Giants and Steelers last offseason before choosing Pittsburgh.
In the 2024 season, the Giants went 3-14 to miss the playoffs for a second straight year. They’re 9-25 over the past two seasons. Co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch retained Coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen, although Mara warned that his patience is dwindling.
There had been speculation that Wilson might reunite with Coach Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilson was selected to nine Pro Bowls and reached two Super Bowls, winning one of them, in his 10 seasons with Carroll in Seattle. But the Raiders instead traded a third-round draft pick to the Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
