Russell Wilson
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Early on during last season, it appeared that the Pittsburgh Steelers had the NFL’s biggest bargain with Russell Wilson playing for just $1.21 million, a fraction of the typical cost for a starting quarterback. Wilson managed to lead the Steelers to a 6-5 record, but he lost the team’s last five games, including a playoff matchup, to close out the season.
Now, Wilson is a free agent, where Spotrac suggests the 10-time Pro Bowl QB has a market value of $38.7 million after having 16 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. Surprisingly, the former Super Bowl quarterback has yet to find a contract to play football in 2025.
However, Wilson has taken two free agency visits: one to the Cleveland Browns and another to the New York Giants, where he and his wife Ciara have reportedly had their eye on for several years. Yet, of the three teams linked to Wilson (the Steelers would be open to re-signing him), there are two destinations that stand out the most.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Latest Round 1 projections after first wave of free agency
Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants make the most sense for Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson
Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Russell Wilson’s asking price during free agency has yet to be revealed. Yet, one of the biggest factors likely working against him is the fact that he’ll turn 37 this season. Teams want a starter who will be effective for more than one season, and there are already questions about how much of a difference-maker the aging veteran can have with his mobility worsening by the year.
However, there are still several teams in pursuit of Wilson. After all, this is still a quarterback with 199 starts to his name and one who’s shown an ability to play at an elite level, even if it’s not all the time.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are the two “most plausible” landing spots for Wilson this offseason.
“The Browns already have a lot of money invested into Deshaun Watson and probably would not be able to offer a similar contract to the Giants or Steelers, I’m guessing. Cleveland might be a really intriguing scenario, and maybe he gets there eventually. But it sounds like the Giants or Steelers are more plausible.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Russell Wilson
Schefter on the Browns and Russell Wilson pic.twitter.com/Drm49Unvx8
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 18, 2025
Schefter’s report makes sense, considering the Browns already have so much invested into Deshaun Watson, even though he’s not expected to be available in 2025 after re-rupturing his Achilles tendon.
However, push could come to shove if the Browns can’t find another capable starter, especially if the Giants and Steelers move forward with another quarterback not named Russell Wilson.
Related: NFL Power Rankings 2025: Offseason evaluations before the 2025 NFL Draft