Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson had a visit with the New York Jets.
Wilson was the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2024, but had mixed results, leading Pittsburgh to sign Aaron Rodgers. Wilson then spent last season with the New York Giants, but lost the starting job, and he remains a free agent.
Now, following the NFL Draft, NFL insider Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported that Wilson visited the Jets.
“The Jets hosted Russell Wilson for a visit and are considering him as an option to be Geno Smith’s No. 2 quarterback, according to a source,” Rosenblatt wrote.
Wilson would be the Jets’ backup quarterback behind Geno Smith and add some veteran presence to the locker room. At this stage of Wilson’s career, he appears to be a backup, and the Jets could be a good spot for him, as if Smith struggles, there would be a chance for him to get starts.
If Wilson does sign, he would join a Jets quarterback room that features Smith, Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe.
Wilson threw for 831 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions last season with the Giants. With the Steelers, he threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Wilson Hoped to Return to Steelers
Pittsburgh signed Wilson to a one-year veteran’s minimum deal after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
Wilson ended up winning the starting job over Justin Fields and had mixed results. Yet, after his lone season with the Steelers, he said he wanted to return to Pittsburgh.
“That’s the plan,” Wilson said at the team’s locker room cleanout. “I love it here and everything else, and I think we have a great football team. Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, and I think there’s a lot more to do.”
Wilson, however, had yet to speak to the Steelers’ front office at that point about his future.
“I think they’ve known that I’ve always wanted to be here and play here, but it is also a process,” Wilson said. “We haven’t had those meetings yet, so we will have those and we’ll go from there.”
The Steelers ended up not re-signing Wilson and instead signed Rodgers to a one-year deal, who led the team to an AFC North title.
Pittsburgh Places Rare Tender on Rodgers
As for the Steelers quarterback situation, it remains murky as Rodgers has yet to re-sign.
Now, after the NFL Draft, the Steelers placed the rarely used UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers before Monday’s postdraft deadline, according to ESPN. The tender allows the Steelers to receive a compensatory draft pick in the event Rodgers signs with another team. It also limits his ability to sign with another team once training camp begins.
As part of the tender, the Steelers retain exclusive negotiating rights for Rodgers if he does not sign with another team by July 22 or the first day of Pittsburgh’s training camp, whichever is later. And, Rodgers can only accept a 10% raise off his last year’s salary.
Although the Steelers used the UFA tender, Pittsburgh is still hopeful Rodgers will return to the team.
Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions last season.
Former Steelers Quarterback Russell Wilson Vists With Intriguing AFC Team