Russell Wilson’s Top 5 Free Agency Destinations If He Continues To Play

Fourteen years in the NFL is not enough Russell Wilson, who still wants to keep playing 2026 With teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders in the hunt for a veteran quarterback, the upcoming New York Giants free agent will have a market in the coming months.

Despite playing just six games in 2026 and spending most of the season as the Giants’ third-string back, Wilson still believes he is a starting-caliber quarterback. The 10-time Pro Bowler was “mentally and physically” preparing to continue playing from the end of the 2025 season, NFL reporter Judy Battista reported.

Wilson finished the 2025 season with 831 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions while completing just 58 percent of his passes. The year ended poorly, but Wilson was responsible for arguably the best highlight of the season, a 48-yard bomb to Malik Nabers in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys.

RUSSELL WILSON MOON BALL TO MALIK NABERS.

GIANTS OF WATER. pic.twitter.com/Chl9HdjldL

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

The 37-year-old is no longer the player he once was, but teams still see value in him as a backup. While Wilson might consider himself the top option, his next job will likely be a contingency plan. This version of Wilson is inconsistent to say the least, but he has proven that he is still capable of delivering high-level performances at the right times.

Teams won’t run to the counter to extend Wilson, but he’ll start the 2026 season with a roster spot, more likely than not.

The Vikings want a veteran quarterback

The Vikings aren’t completely giving up on JJ McCarthy just yet, but they are making changes to their listless quarterback room. Minnesota made it known wants to add a veteran signal-caller in the offseason, which could be Russell Wilson.

McCarthy was better than fans gave him credit for at the end of the season, totaling seven touchdowns and just three turnovers over the last four games. McCarthy is far from a finished product, but there’s clearly something Kevin O’Connell could work with.

O’Connell’s biggest problem with his 2025 quarterbacks has been their lack of health, which has plagued the Vikings’ season. McCarthy missed seven games in 2025 after going down his entire rookie season while his starting backup, Carson Wentz, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 8.

Injuries forced the Vikings to play undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who was a complete disaster. Finding a quality backup quarterback is one of Minnesota’s biggest needs in the 2026 offseason.

A veteran like Wilson would be perfect for the job. Wilson was an ideal teammate and mentor for Jackson Dart in 2025, and signing with the Vikings would give him the best chance to take the field in 2026. Whether McCarthy goes down again or Minnesota completely gives up on his inconsistency, the job is open for the taking. Signing with the Vikings could be Wilson’s best move of the 2026 NFL offseason.

The Chiefs need more insurance from Jaden Daniels

Another team in desperate need of a quality backup quarterback is the Washington Commanders, who fell off a cliff in 2025. Washington’s season was cut short by a string of injuries to 2024 Rookie of the Year Jaden Daniels, who appeared in just seven games in his sophomore campaign.

The Commanders have had Marcus Mariota behind Daniels in each of the last two seasons, which has been bad in 2025. While Daniels has expressed gratitude for Mariota’s leadership and mentorship, the 32-year-old is far from a player capable of leading a team at this point in his career.

Washington could re-sign Mariota in March for a second straight offseason, but head coach Dan Quinn’s recent moves suggest otherwise. Quinn fired offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. suggest big changes are coming, and Mariota, who went just 2-6 as a starter in 2025, is unlikely to be part of his future plans.

Wilson may no longer be an MVP contender, but he’s still an upgrade from Mariota. Having him behind Daniels gives Washington some insurance it hasn’t had at that position in years.

Russell Wilson could switch places with Tua Tagovailo

The Miami Dolphins are currently in the midst of a complete franchise rebuild, which will likely include quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami traded away its former first-round pick at the end of the 2025 season, and new head coach Jeff Hafley is unlikely to reverse that decision.

The Dolphins enter the 2026 NFL offseason as one of the most obvious teams in need of a quarterback. Hafley might like the idea of ​​keeping Quinn Evers as a backup, but the new regime seems intent on doing whatever it can to get rid of Tagovailoa.

The Dolphins own the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which they could use to select their next starting quarterback. If that’s the plan, first-year general manager John-Eric Sullivan will look to add a veteran signal-caller in free agency, assuming he can find a suitor willing to take on the 27-year-old Hawaiian southpaw.

Miami is in a messy situation, but that could lead to Wilson finding his way to South Florida.

Russell Wilson could join Matthew Stafford in LA

If Russell Wilson’s goal is to play in 2026, teaming up with a potential reigning MVP would usually be the last place to go. However, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback room is in an interesting position, even with Matthew Stafford coming off a rookie season.

The Rams ended trade interest in Stafford last offseason by restructuring his contract, keeping him in Los Angeles through the 2026 season. Los Angeles will still need to find its new backup, with Jimmy Garoppolo re-entering free agency.

Stafford, who turned 38 on Feb. 7, has missed just three games in the last three years, but Father Time is starting to catch up with him. Stafford has dealt with nagging injuries for the past few seasons, including a back injury that threatened his availability in Week 1 of the 2025 preseason.

Sean McVay has historically preferred to have more experienced veterans in his quarterback room. None of the options available have more experience in the 2026 free agency class than Wilson.

Wilson may not like the idea of ​​handicapping himself behind Stafford, but he already has ties to Los Angeles, where he recently put his mansion up for sale. Ending his career in California could be best for Wilson’s family as he transitions to life after football.

The Titans should upgrade Cam Ward’s backup

Reuniting with Brian Daboll may not be Russell Wilson’s ideal plan, but it could work out the second time around. The The Tennessee Titans were among the teams to consider trading for Wilson during the 2025 season and for the same reasons they should send him an offer in free agency.

The Titans are more than happy with Cam Ward, especially because of his strong finish to his first season. They still need a quality backup, which would require an upgrade from Brandon Allen, who shared a room with Ward in 2025.

Ward has been a durable player throughout his career, but he is also prone to unnecessary shots. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick recorded 55 sacks in his rookie season, tied with Jen Smith for the most in the league.

The Titans’ offensive line isn’t great, but Ward’s habit of holding onto the ball also contributes to his high pressure rate. Either way, the generational talent is putting himself at risk more than any coach would like to see.

Knowing how well Wilson played behind Dart, Daboll should see value in adding Wilson in the 2026 offseason. New head coach Robert Saleh is also familiar with Wilson’s game, preparing for the former Seahawks quarterback twice a year during his four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers.