Russell Wilson is back on the market, and the quarterback question that once seemed settled has opened again. After the New York Giants signed him to a one-year contract in March 2025, Wilson is now a free agent heading into April with no team committed to him for 2026.
NFL.com reported the deal at $10.5 million with incentives that could push it higher, while Spotrac lists it as a 2025-only agreement. That structure mattered then and matters now: the Giants never locked themselves into a long stay, and Wilson never got one either. By April, ’s ranking of the top remaining unsigned free agents described him as more of a veteran No. 2 at this stage, a sharp change from the idea that he would arrive in New York as an immediate answer.
The Giants made that change in September 2025, benching Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart after three games. Later in the year, Wilson moved into a mentor and support role around Dart, a quiet turn for a player who entered the season on a deal built to keep both sides flexible. His market now reflects that reality. He is absolutely a free agent, but not the kind most teams would build around as a clear starter.
Context for the scramble is already in place. Pittsburgh is the most obvious veteran-quarterback spot still hanging in the balance because Aaron Rodgers said in March that there was “no deadline” for his decision about playing in 2026, while Steelers owner Art Rooney II later said he expected an answer before the NFL draft. New Orleans is also in the mix after Derek Carr retired last year, but the Saints may prefer a younger runway under center. Cleveland could be linked to any veteran quarterback, though draft-related roster decisions make it harder to call Wilson the favorite there.
That leaves Wilson waiting in a market that has not settled on its next move. The veteran's next stop may depend less on what he can still do than on which team finally decides it cannot wait any longer.