Russell Wilson‘s NFL career, once defined by Super Bowl glory and multiple Pro Bowl selections, has taken a harsh turn, leaving him without a single call from teams as free agency begins and raising questions about his relevance in today’s quarterback market. The former New York Giants passer is struggling to find a new team, with other free agents such as Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields taking up backup spots elsewhere.
His decline began in Denver, where a 2022 trade intended to rejuvenate both Wilson and the Broncos quickly soured.
Over two seasons, he struggled to sync with the offense, lost consistency, and became a lightning rod for criticism, ultimately being released at significant financial cost to the team.
Wilson‘s 2023 campaign offered small glimpses of competence, but the overall performance failed to meet expectations.
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Executives and fans noted that a quarterback who once seemed untouchable had now lost the reliability and consistency that once defined his prime, forcing a reset of his market perception.
In 2024, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers with hopes of reinvention. While there were occasional sparks, the environment proved unstable.
Internal competition and inconsistent play prevented him from re-establishing himself as a long-term franchise solution, positioning him more as a temporary veteran presence than a foundational starter.
Where it went wrong in New York
By 2025, Wilson‘s move to New York was framed as another chance to regain form, yet struggles began immediately.
Week 1 saw him complete less than half his passes with zero touchdowns, and while Week 2 featured a 450-yard performance, inconsistency returned, eroding confidence among teammates, coaches, and fans alike.
By Week 3, replacement calls mounted, and his situation worsened in Week 4 when rookie Jaxson Dart assumed the starting role. By midseason, Wilson had dropped to third-string.
Later, he disclosed playing through a hamstring tear early in the season, which contextualized some struggles but also highlighted questions regarding transparency and risk management.
And according to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, teams have shown no interest whatsoever in signing him. Wilson is seen as problematic.
“Wilson also had a toxic exit to his time in Denver,” La Canfora said. “And his declining skills, inability to seemingly grasp how far he has fallen from his peak years.
“And great skepticism about his ability to fully grasp being a mentor-type backup has left him without a market as the draft fast approaches.
“And even more teams with depth quarterback need the roster with young and cheap passers.”
Chiefs pass over Wilson for Fields
The Kansas City Chiefs faced a quarterback emergency in 2025 after Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and ligament damage, ending his season and exposing a lack of depth, which forced management to prioritize a dependable backup for 2026.
Backup Gardner Minshew also suffered a knee injury, requiring the Chiefs to use emergency options, exposing structural weaknesses in their quarterback room and making a capable, affordable replacement a priority.
Despite Wilson being available, Kansas City opted to trade a future sixth-round pick for Justin Fields.
The ex-New York Jets signal caller offered starting experience, athleticism, and upside, all while carrying a smaller financial commitment, suggesting that Wilson‘s value had sharply declined.
Fields‘ acquisition underlined the team’s preference for youth, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, while Wilson‘s declining performance, “messy exits,” and reluctance to mentor made him less appealing, leaving the veteran quarterback without opportunities despite his past accolades.
Overall, Wilson‘s recent NFL journey, from Denver‘s costly disappointment to Pittsburgh‘s instability and New York‘s rapid benching, illustrates a quarterback once elite now confronting diminished trust in the league.
And the Chiefs‘ decision to pick Fields only reflects that reality for the 37-year-old one-time Super Bowl winner.