Former Broncos QB Russell Wilson might get another NFL shot

That infamous Russell Wilson trade to the Denver Broncos feels like it was a long time ago.

It was more than four years ago when Broncos GM George Paton gave up a king’s ransom for Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.

On the other hand a lot of Broncos Country remembers it like it was yesterday. Wilson was billed as the savior for the franchise but it completely flopped. He posted an 11-19 record over two seasons with Denver and head coach Sean Payton took on (at the time) the largest dead cap hit in NFL history to dump Wilson’s contract.

And it’s not like Wilson has found much success elsewhere.

In 2024 he started 11 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers and went 6-5 before an early playoff exit. Last season he appeared in six contests with the New York Giants, posting an 0-3 mark in the games he started.

Many thought that might be the end of the NFL road for Russell Wilson, but a new report on Tuesday suggests maybe not yet. He’s been a free-agent for nearly two months and there’s finally a nibble.

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.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) April 28, 2026

It’d almost be fitting if Russell Wilson ended his career as a backup for the New York Jets, one of the most hapless franchises in the NFL. They had Sam Darnold in their building, he looked like a bust and is now a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks.

The Jets are banking on Geno Smith to lead them in 2026 with Wilson as a potential backup QB option. This could be a tanking situation where New York is content with an awful record and then perhaps landing someone like QB Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL Draft.

For now it’s just a visit with Russell Wilson, but maybe it turns into a contract soon. For what looked like a surefire Hall of Fame career, Wilson seems to be limping to the finish line.

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