When it comes to the quarterback left in free agency, the options… are underwhelming to say the least. Certain names are already crossed off, while others are still out there looking for a home. The Cleveland Browns brought in quarterback Russell Wilson for a visit a couple weeks ago and Wilson left the facility without signing a dea. It appears there may be mutual interest with Wilson, but so far, nothing has materialized in terms of a deal.
While Wilson could be seen as a potential “savior in 2025,” Cleveland shouldn’t pursue the veteran quarterback and instead pivot elsewhere.
Limited passing ability
Two years ago, I wrote about how Wilson, during his time with the Denver Broncos, was never fixed but head coach Sean Payton made him competent.
To sum it up, Wilson’s limitations in terms of his passing ability is why Denver chose to cut ties with him and why the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly have no interest in bringing him back.
Throughout his career, Russ’s style of play was eventually going to diminish as he got older. The playground, playmaker style of play that Wilson was known for is gone and he can only fall back on what he is normally good at: Deep passes and short passing game.
Take away those two? He’s a liability.
Wilson’s middle-of-the-field struggles have been highlighted for a while now, it’s only magnified later on his career. As far as play-action goes, it’s more hit-or-miss in that department. He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, despite what the stats will say and the film backs up the claims of his limitations as a passer.
Doesn’t raise the offensive ceiling of the team the way you might think
Allow me to clarify this. Is Russell Wilson a bad quarterback? No. Is he good? No. He’s competent. At this point in his career, he’s a starter, but he’s not someone who is going to elevate your team.
Cleveland needs competent quarterback play, that’s no question but asking Wilson to play consistently and not fall off a cliff in the second half of the season seems like a tough task. Wilson’s play started to decline back in the 2nd half of the 2020 season when he was with the Seattle Seahawks. Teams figured out Seattle’s offense and it led to his numbers declining, which led to his eventual split from the Seahawks, along with many other reasons.
He gets traded to Denver, it was a disaster and it led to him eventually getting cut from the team. He lands in Pittsburgh to play for the Steelers. Wilson didn’t raise the ceiling of the Pittsburgh’s offense, he instead hampered it. The Steelers offense had their limitations besides the quarterback but when Wilson’s play started to decline, the offense went with it.
Cleveland’s offense needs a ceiling-raiser and Wilson doesn’t provide that. The offense would suffer not only because of the limitations Wilson has, but head coach Kevin Stefanski would have to change his playbook again to tailor the offense to someone who isn’t compatible with it.
Russell Wilson can be a starter in this league, but not for the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland would be wise not to attempt to sign him.
What do you think about Wilson with the Browns: Potential savior or potential dude? Share your thoughts below