Top 5 Landing Spots for Russell Wilson as Bridge QB for the 2026 NFL Season

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Top 5 Landing Spots for Russell Wilson as Bridge QB for the 2026 NFL Season

Jhelum Mehta · Sportsnaut

Mon, Mar 16, 2026 ·

7 min read

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Russell Wilson 's NFL journey has been a wild ride, to say the least. From a $40 million franchise QB in Seattle to getting benched in Denver and then barely seeing the field in Pittsburgh , the second half of his career has been anything but smooth.

Coming into this offseason, Wilson probably wasn't topping many teams' wishlists. Still, he's the kind of veteran quarterback who can step in off the bench and keep an offense humming if a team suddenly needs a steady hand under center.

And while Wilson might end up being one of the better options left in a thinning QB market, one thing's clear—he won't be suiting up for Kansas City . For now, his next landing spot is still up in the air.

So with the quarterback carousel still spinning, here are five dream landing spots for the former Super Bowl champ.

Green Bay Packers

As the 2026 NFL offseason rolls on, the Green Bay Packers have been pretty quiet on the transaction wire. Aside from bringing in former Javon Hargrave —who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings — Green Bay hasn't made any splashy moves yet. That said, GM Brian Gutekunst still has a few boxes to check before the season kicks off. One of the biggest? Locking in a reliable QB2 behind franchise quarterback Jordan Love , especially now that Malik Willis is no longer in the picture.

That's where Wilson could come into play.

Honestly, the fit makes a lot of sense for both sides. Green Bay wouldn't have to commit to anything long-term—just a one-year veteran deal to stabilize the quarterback room. And Wilson would land with a playoff-caliber organization that values experienced leadership. Wilson's 2025 campaign with the New York Giants wasn't exactly headline-grabbing, but he still showed flashes. In six games, he threw for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, completed 58% of his passes, and added 106 rushing yards.

Sure, Wilson might not be the flashiest QB2 option out there. But if the Packers are looking for a battle-tested veteran who can step in and keep the offense afloat if needed, he checks that box. At the end of the day, Wilson has a long track record in this league and knows how to win football games. And when it comes to backing up Love, Gutekunst and the Packers could definitely do worse.

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is still firmly locked in as QB1 for the Dallas Cowboys , but the depth chart behind him is pretty thin. Right now, Dallas is rolling with Prescott and Joe Milton III , and most contenders prefer to have a seasoned vet waiting in the wings in case the starter goes down.

That's where Wilson could enter the conversation.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made it clear the team wants to push its chips to the middle of the table and chase a Super Bowl now, rather than wait for long-term development. Wilson fits that win-now mindset. If Prescott were to miss time, Wilson is the kind of veteran who could step in, run the offense, and keep the playoff train on the tracks. After all, he's a Super Bowl–winning QB with plenty of big-game reps.

And much like the situation in Green Bay, Wilson probably isn't commanding a monster deal at this point in his career. A one-year 'prove-it' deal with a contender would make plenty of sense.

The catch? Dallas' cap situation. The Cowboys are already tight against the salary cap, which means the front office would have to pull off some serious cap gymnastics to make a Wilson signing work—even on a short-term deal.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray is still the clear-cut QB1 for the Arizona Cardinals , but the depth chart behind him has been a bit shaky over the past few seasons. Bringing in Wilson would instantly give Arizona a high-end veteran QB2 who could step in and run the offense if Murray ever misses time. Wilson brings over a decade of starting experience and plenty of playoff mileage, which is the kind of insurance policy most teams would love to have sitting on the sideline.

From a scheme standpoint, the fit isn't crazy either. Under head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Arizona's offense leans on mobility, play-action, and off-schedule playmaking—all areas where Wilson has traditionally thrived. The Cardinals also have a young roster still finding its identity, and that's where Wilson's presence could really pay off. A veteran QB like him can mentor younger offensive players, stabilize the quarterback room, bring playoff experience to a developing team.

Wilson has also built a reputation for helping younger teammates grow—just ask DK Metcalf , who blossomed during Wilson's years in Seattle. Veteran quarterbacks often end up becoming locker-room tone setters for teams going through a rebuild or transition. And unlike many QB-needy franchises, Arizona actually entered the 2026 offseason with solid cap flexibility after shedding several veteran contracts during its rebuild. That means the Cardinals could realistically afford a veteran deal without having to restructure half the roster, especially if Wilson is open to a modest one-year contract.

At this point in his career, Wilson may simply be looking for a stable situation where he has a real chance to see the field if needed—and Arizona could quietly offer exactly that.

Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It would be a storybook ending if Wilson wound up back with the Seattle Seahawks —the very place where he spent a decade cooking and helped deliver the franchise's only Super Bowl title.

A reunion would bring back a quarterback who already knows the expectations of the fanbase, the culture inside the building, and the pressure that comes with playing in Seattle. There'd be no learning curve—just a familiar face back in a familiar locker room. Beyond the inevitable cap-space gymnastics, there's also an interesting storyline if this actually happened. Wilson could end up mentoring Sam Darnold much like he once helped guide DK Metcalf early in his career.

The twist? Back in Seattle, Wilson was the franchise QB, and Metcalf was the young rising star. If he returned now, the roles would flip—Wilson would likely be the veteran QB2, backing up Darnold while passing down the kind of experience only a Super Bowl–winning quarterback can offer.

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams offense still revolves around Matthew Stafford , who'll be 38 during the 2026 season. With Stafford's age and injury history, it wouldn't be shocking if the Rams looked to add some premium insurance at QB2. That's where Wilson could make a lot of sense.

If Stafford were to miss time, Wilson would instantly become one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the league—the kind of veteran who can step in and keep the offense moving without everything falling apart.

And make no mistake, the Rams are very much in the playoff hunt again. For contenders, having a reliable QB2 can be the difference between staying in the postseason race or watching the season unravel after one injury.

Plus, Wilson would walk into an offense loaded with talent. Throwing to playmakers like Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp , while sharing a locker room with defensive cornerstone Aaron Donald , isn't a bad situation for any quarterback.

Financially, the Rams could also make it work. A short-term, one-year veteran deal for Wilson would be manageable under their cap and would give Los Angeles top-tier insurance behind Stafford without committing long-term money.

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