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Russell Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers feels like a done deal.
After all, the nine-time Pro Bowler is already scheduled to meet with the organization and the Steelers are looking for exactly what Wilson would bring, a veteran quarterback who can lift their offense to the next level.
But apparently, that’s not such a sure thing.
Before traveling to Pittsburgh today, Russell Wilson stopped in New Jersey for what one source described as “an exploratory meeting” with the Giants, per league sources.
Wilson is in Pittsburgh today to meet with the Steelers, per sources. pic.twitter.com/gylDU9uNBk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2024
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that before Wilson meets with the Steelers on Friday, he stopped in New York to hold “an exploratory meeting” with the New York Giants.
Hmmmm….
The Giants, of course, signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract just last offseason. But Jones struggled mightily in 2023 before being injured and missing a majority of the season.
New York Giants Are Surprise Team In Russell Wilson Free Agency Pursuit
Fox Sports host Collin Cowherd recently laid out the rationale behind Wilson heading to Pittsburgh.
“I think Pittsburgh’s perfect,” he said in a recent Volume podcast. “You cannot be in a division with Joe Burrow twice a year, Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson twice a year, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh twice a year with Kenny Pickett.
“I think you roll the dice with Russell Wilson. His maturity and devotion and commitment is what the Steelers need offensively. They’ve got some receivers who I really like but they’re a little young, a little immature… Their offensive line is okay, not special, and Russell Wilson is still mobile enough to avoid some of that stuff.
“I think it works… The culture and personnel in Pittsburgh is good, but they don’t have a trigger guy. In the AFC, you’re not going anywhere unless you have a star, even if it’s a declining star – you’ve got to have a star [QB] to win games.”
But all of those reasons also apply to the Giants, who are trying to compete with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East.
They have a potential out on Jones’ contract following the 2024 season that would leave them with a $22.2 million dead cap hit. While that’s not ideal, it’s certainly manageable.
Could we see Wilson playing his home games at the stadium where he once led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory?
It certainly seems possible.