The New York Jets are kicking the tires.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed that the Jets hosted New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson on a free agent visit.
Wilson, 37, will turn 38 during the 2026 season. He has been on three teams in three years, and if he were to sign with the Jets, they would be his fourth team in four years.
Wilson Is an Accomplished QB
The former NC State and Wisconsin product first entered the league as the No. 75 overall pick in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.
He has appeared in 205 games and has made 202 starts. With those opportunities, Wilson has completed 64.6% of his passes, has thrown for 46,966 passing yards, and owns a 353 touchdown to 114 interception ratio.
Wilson is a 10-time Pro Bowler, a former second-team All-Pro, and is a former Super Bowl winning quarterback.
Insider Access to the Wilson Jets Visit
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said “nothing is imminent” between Wilson and the Jets.
However, he did provide some additional context on social media.
“Let me add some context: Wilson lives locally, so it was convenient. Plus, when the Jets acquired Geno Smith in March to be their starter, they asked him about potential backups — players he admired. He mentioned Wilson, a former Seattle teammate, per source. So Wilson came in late yesterday and met with Aaron Glenn, Frank Reich and Darren Mougey,” Cimini posted.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY said there is “plenty of mutual interest” between the two parties.
“One of the biggest proponents in the Jets building for getting Russ? Geno Smith. The Jets went to Geno about the idea and he raved about Wilson’s work ethic, what he meant to him during their time together. We’ll see if anything happens. [It] was an easy workout to schedule. Wilson hopped in his car and drove over. He still lives in [the] area with Ciara,” Hughes explained.
One of the biggest proponents in the Jets building for getting Russ?
Geno Smith.
The Jets went to Geno about the idea and he raved about Wilson’s work ethic, what he meant
Mougey Left This Veteran QB Door Open
At the Annual League Meetings, general manager Darren Mougey told the media that the team could add a veteran passer to the room before the NFL draft.
It never happened.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL draft, Mougey was asked if anything had changed in their pursuits.
“Yeah, I remember those comments at the owner’s meetings. We got back, and we kind of spoke as a group and talked about it. That landscape really hasn’t moved much. We felt good about that at that time and didn’t anticipate it moving. So we felt like, okay, let’s go into the draft and see where we come out. We will reconvene and say, okay, now let’s look at the landscape, let’s look at the picture, let’s have some good discussions about what we know we have now coming out of the draft, and kind of further evaluate it. So we will see in the coming weeks,” Mougey explained.
Behind Smith, the Jets have a ton of inexperience. The rest of the room consists of rookie Cade Klubnik, second-year player Brady Cook, and fifth-year player Bailey Zappe.
The Jets could use a proven veteran backup just in case Smith gets hurt.
Jets Hosted Super Bowl Winning QB on Free Agent Visit: Report