The Cleveland Browns hosted veteran quarterback Russell Wilson on a free agent visit Thursday afternoon as they look to land a passer who can hold down the fort for the 2025 campaign. Immediately after Wilson departed, the team made a move involving offensive lineman Jack Conklin that quickly caught fans' attention.
With several dominos in the quarterback market having already fallen, Wilson remains one of the top options at QB available on the open market. The Browns are interested in signing Wilson, but they aren't alone, as he is heading to visit the New York Giants after leaving Cleveland without signing a deal.
"Veteran free agent quarterback Russell Wilson is slated to fly into town to meet with the Giants at their facility Friday about their current needs under center," Michael Blinn of the New York Post reported on Wednesday night.
While the Browns didn't persuade Wilson to cancel his visit with the Giants and sign with them on Thursday, they are still interested in signing him. Shortly after he departed it was reported the team agreed to a revised contract with Conklin, clearing up more cap space that could potentially be used on a deal for Wilson.
"Veteran RT Jack Conklin and Browns agreed to a revised contract that keeps him in Cleveland. Deal removes a year — he’s now a 2026 free agent instead of 2027 — and pays him $10M ($9M guaranteed) with the opportunity to earn extra $2M in incentives, per agent Drew Rosenhaus," Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported in a post on X.
In 11 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns, helping lead them to the postseason for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
With Deshaun Watson likely to miss the entire 2025 campaign after re-rupturing his Achilles, the Browns recently swung a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Kenny Pickett. They could also select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft.
