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Russell Wilson's Free Agency Preference Revealed After Signing With Giants

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Mar 26, 2025 11:35 AM ET

Russell Wilson agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Giants on Tuesday evening.

The deal is worth $10.5 million but he can earn up to $21 million if he hits all of his incentives. Wilson is in line to start for the Giants after spending the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He started most of the season and helped the Steelers make the playoffs before they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with 2,482 yards through the air, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

While he's now a Giant, they weren't his first choice for the 2025 season. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wilson wanted to remain with the Steelers right up until the end.

Russell Wilson wanted to remain with the Steelers, right up till the end, before he agreed to a deal with the Giants, per sources.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 26, 2025

This shouldn't come as a shock to most people since he had been adamant about staying with the Steelers since the 2024 season ended. The Steelers didn't feel the same way and saw him as a backup option, leading him to sign with the Giants.

The Steelers are trying to land Aaron Rodgers after they had him in for a visit last week. The four-time MVP visited the team facility on Friday and spent six hours getting to know head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, general manager Omar Khan, and owner Art Rooney II.

Pittsburgh pivoted to Rodgers after striking out on Justin Fields and Sam Darnold during free agency. They tried to bring back Fields before he ultimately landed with the New York Jets.

They then made a run at Darnold but he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Wilson now joins a Giants team that is under a lot of pressure heading into the 2025 season. The Giants only won three games last season and have not made the playoffs in seven of the last eight NFL seasons.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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