Russell Wilson's recent struggles on the gridiron have left many fans scratching their heads. Just weeks after being released by the New York Giants, the veteran quarterback is reportedly grappling with the reality of his decline.
At 37, Wilson arrived in New York hoping to reignite his career after a mixed stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his tenure with the Giants was rocky from the start.
Benched for rookie Jaxson Dart after an 0-3 beginning, Wilson watched as Dart held onto the starting role for the rest of the season. Despite Dart's promise, the Giants missed the playoffs, and Wilson found himself without a new contract.
According to sportswriter Jason La Canfora, the lack of interest in Wilson as a free agent stems from his struggles to accept his new reality. Executives are wary, citing his tumultuous exit from the Denver Broncos and diminishing skills as deterrents. Additionally, there's skepticism about his willingness to embrace a mentor role, leaving him in a tough spot.
One anonymous NFL executive described Wilson as "the forgotten man," noting that teams aren't considering him due to his current fit as a backup rather than a starter. In 2025, Wilson's performance was inconsistent, with only three touchdowns and three interceptions across six games, completing 58% of his passes for 138.5 yards per game.
Wilson's journey has been a winding one, from his glory days in Seattle-where he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory over the Broncos-to his recent stints in Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York. His time in Denver was particularly turbulent, with a challenging season under Nathaniel Hackett, followed by a brief resurgence under Sean Payton. However, even Payton eventually benched him, and the Broncos ended up with a disappointing 7-8 record.
The financial repercussions of his Denver contract were significant, with the Broncos absorbing a record $89 million in dead cap charges after releasing him in March 2024. Now, as Wilson navigates his next steps, the question remains: can he adapt and find a new role in the league, or is this the end of the road for the once-dominant quarterback?