On the same day that the Cleveland Browns introduced their newest quarterback, Kenny Pickett, the Browns hosted the guy who displaced Pickett with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson. Wilson, along with Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers, were prize acquisitions just a few years ago for teams that hoped they would be saviors for the franchise.
The Browns are all but done with the Watson experience, but Wilson and Rodgers also failed, just not as spectacularly as Watson, with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets respectively.
Wilson’s visit to Cleveland feels like a ruse, on both sides, to leverage others in the NFL’s game of chicken at the quarterback position. That doesn’t mean Wilson and the Browns can’t make something work, but the veteran quarterback leaving Berea, Ohio without a contract is not a positive sign of that outcome:
According to multiple reports, DE Myles Garrett, fresh off his new big deal, and Watson were a part of the recruitment of Wilson:
Alongside Myles Garrett inside the #Browns facility while the team was meeting w/ Russell Wilson: QB Deshaun Watson. #DawgPound
— Alec (@alecsapolin) March 13, 2025
That is an interesting recruiting party but Garrett is in town for a press conference on Friday and Watson, according to HC Kevin Stefanski, has been around the facility “everyday.” It is possible that Garrett and Watson were just conveniently there but both have been paid significant sums of money by the organization so recruiting while in town probably isn’t too much to ask.
Wilson is now on his way to visit with the New York Giants. The Giants, with a GM and HC on the hot seat, seem to be down to signing Aaron Rodgers or Wilson but may not be the first choice for either player. New York is also rumored to be looking to move up in the NFL draft to select QB Cam Ward.
Last year, Wilson visited the Giants first before heading on to visit the Steelers before signing with the AFC North squad. Pittsburgh is still a potential landing spot for the veteran quarterback as well.
What do you think about Wilson leaving without a contract? Do you read anything into Garrett and Watson being in the meetings?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below