Russell Wilson still weighing options with Jets offer on the table

Jets fans should be hoping Russ still wants to play.

Charlie Baduini

Former New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson / David Banks-Imagn Images

The New York Jets seem to be eyeing former New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson as their ideal backup behind Geno Smith in 2026. The problem is, he's still not 100% decided what he wants to do next with his career.

As things stand now, the Jets don't have a whole lot of experience behind Smith. On the roster, they have 2026 fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik, with Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook as the "veteran" options.

If Smith goes down with an injury, the Jets' season has a real chance of going down the drain if Klubnik, Zappe, or Cook takes the reins. It's why they need someone like Wilson as an insurance policy.

Well, the Jets seem to have an offer on the table for Wilson; it's just a matter of whether or not he still wants to play.

Russell Wilson says Jets have offered him a contract, still mulling it over

Speaking with the New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy at BTIG Charity Day, the 10-time Pro Bowler provided a career update amid his ongoing discussions with the Jets.

"They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do. I still know I can play ball at a high level, but also I have an opportunity to do TV, so we’ll see what happens."
Russell Wilson

Wilson also added that he had a "great" free agent visit to the Jets facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Despite having a rough few years with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Giants, Wilson is still a competent quarterback you could trust to spot start if needed. It's not like the Jets are looking to make him the full-time starter.

But as previously mentioned, backup quarterback is arguably one of the bigger holes remaining on New York's roster after an otherwise great start to the offseason.

There needs to be a better insurance policy behind Smith other than the group of inexperienced pro passers on the Jets roster.

If Wilson decides to hang it up, New York's options start to look bleak. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is probably the next best option on the free agent market, and he wouldn't exactly inspire confidence as the Jets' QB2.

Wilson will surely take the time to mull over his future, but Jets fans should be keeping their fingers crossed that the former Seattle Seahawks legend decides to play for one more season.

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.