The Giants have met with free agent quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson stopped in New Jersey for “an exploratory meeting” with the Giants, per ESPN, before flying to Pittsburgh on Friday to meet with the Steelers.
Wilson, 35, is pursuing free agent options after the Denver Broncos informed him that they will be releasing him officially on Wednesday, when the new NFL league year begins.
Giants GM Joe Schoen has said the team still believes in Daniel Jones as its Week 1 starter and that he intends to sign a veteran quarterback, as well. But signing Wilson would be a move to replace Jones, not back him up.
This reinforces how urgently the Giants are trying to improve at quarterback in the short term, not just the long term with a potential high pick in April’s NFL Draft. Jones’ extensive injury history, starting with two major neck injuries, is a major factor, as well.
Wilson is coming off a terribly disappointing two seasons in Denver.
The Broncos traded five draft picks and three players get him from the Seattle Seahawks. Then they signed him to a five-year, $242.6 million extension.
But Denver went 11-19 in his starts. Head coach Nate Hackett was fired after a disastrous 2022, and new coach Sean Payton gave up on Wilson before the 2023 season was through.
Broncos GM George Paton now will eat an $85 million dead cap hit over the next two seasons because of the release. But the contract also makes Wilson affordable to whichever team signs him as a free agent this spring.
Denver owes him $39 million this season, and Wilson’s suitors don’t need to compensate the Broncos to get him, either.
Pittsburgh is the betting favorite to land him, but the Giants’ presence in the Wilson sweepstakes is intriguing to say the least.
