Jets fans need to stop overreacting over a potential Russell Wilson addition

Would it really be that bad?

Charlie Baduini

Former New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that the New York Jets hosted free agent quarterback Russell Wilson on a free agent visit, signaling the team's interest in adding the veteran as a potential backup behind Geno Smith.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, who broke the Wilson news in the first place, also added that Smith was "excited" at the prospect of adding his former Seattle Seahawks teammate as his backup due to his incredible work ethic and high character.

But one party that wasn't excited about the news of a possible Wilson addition was Jets fans. They took the news about exactly as you would expect.

There was a wide variety of negative reactions to the visit, which is shocking considering the makeup of the Jets' current quarterback room. But is Wilson really all that bad of an option?

Jets fans should not feel so negative about Russell Wilson as backup QB

Wilson is not a high-end, starting-caliber NFL quarterback anymore. That much is clear from his last few years with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants. In six appearances with the Giants last season, Wilson completed 58% of his passes for 831 yards, tossing three touchdowns and three interceptions.

But as a backup? That role may suit him just fine. Wilson is an energetic, positive presence who seems like he can fit on just about any team, as long as he's not trying to control too much from behind the scenes.

But the reality is, there aren't many other options available to the Jets as good as Wilson. Fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik should not be QB2 heading into 2026; he's very clearly not ready to see the field.

The mere mention of Brady Cook may send shivers down Jets fans' spines, and he is a long shot to even make the roster after the way he closed the season last year.

Wilson is easily the best free agent option among a pool of uninspiring veterans, including Jimmy Garoppolo, who practically has one foot through the door of retirement, Tyrod Taylor, who can't stay healthy even as a backup, and Cooper Rush, who was benched in favor of Snoop Huntley last year in Baltimore.

If the Jets want the best available veteran backup, the answer is clearly Wilson, and fans need to start warming up to that idea.

Charlie Baduini

Charlie Baduini covers the New York Jets as a site expert for The Jet Press and FanSided. He is a sports journalist based in Northern New Jersey with a wide variety of sports reporting experience in print and broadcast journalism. Baduini’s byline can also be seen on Heavy and The Sporting News, where he covers several teams across the NFL and NBA. His work has been featured in Heavy, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and Yardbarker. He also serves as a seasonal intern for ESPN, working as a production assistant for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony every year since 2022. Baduini has been a Jets fan for as long as he can remember, with his family's fandom dating back to the 1960s when his grandfather, Louis, became a season ticket holder. His family has since held on to the tickets to this day. He is an avid fan of the New York Knicks and New York Mets.