As recently as this past Tuesday, it was thought that the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants viewed having Russell Wilson as a starting quarterback this coming September as only a fallback option, at best, amid uncertainty regarding the futures of Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins.

However, that was before it was learned on Wednesday that Wilson will meet with the Browns and Giants ahead of the weekend. It now appears Wilson is giving quarterback-needy clubs something to think about early into the start of the new league year. 

“Russell has options,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said during a Wednesday appearance on Columbus sports radio station 97.1 The Fan, as shared by Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “So, Russell is sifting through what he wants to do. If Aaron Rodgers goes to Pittsburgh or New York, Russell might have more leverage somewhere else.”

As of early Thursday morning, the perception existed that Rodgers was hoping the Minnesota Vikings would allow him to start over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy after McCarthy spent his entire rookie season recovering from a full meniscus repair. The Browns reportedly want Cousins due to his previous working relationship with head coach Kevin Stefanski, but the Atlanta Falcons seem serious about keeping Cousins as a backup for Michael Penix Jr. unless a club trades for the 36-year-old. 

All of this ignores the fact that the enigmatic Rodgers could experience a change of heart and retire rather than play for the Browns, Giants or Titans. Perhaps that reality is a reason Wilson will wait before he puts pen to paper on a deal with any team.

“He’s not in any rush to make a decision,” Schefter added about Wilson. “People might think, ‘OK, he’s the second choice. He’s stuck.’ I don’t think it’s quite that way. I think Russell’s got some options in play.”

The Steelers, Browns, Titans and Giants all need legitimate QB1s for the 2025 season and could all be interested in starting a so-called “bridge option” over a to-be-drafted rookie such as Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe. Wilson may not be the player he was during his best days with the Seattle Seahawks, but he could become the best quarterback available whenever Rodgers makes his decision. 

Then again, perhaps even one team has Wilson ranked ahead of Rodgers among options for the upcoming season considering how Rodgers looked with the New York Jets throughout much of the 2024 campaign.