By benching Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham, the Denver Broncos essentially signaled to the rest of the NFL that their once-franchise quarterback was either set to be cut or traded during the 2024 offseason. Naturally, Broncos GM George Paton will try his best to trade Wilson before resorting to releasing the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Yet, much like a year ago when the writing was on the wall for Derek Carr, finding a trade partner for a player everyone knows isn’t in Denver’s future plans may be difficult. Whether traded or released, chances are, Wilson won’t be suiting up for the Broncos in 2024, but that doesn’t mean the nine-time Pro Bowl QB won’t be a starting QB. But where?
Related: See where Russell Wilson lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB Rankings
Down below, we get into the five best Russell Wilson landing spots for the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB competition gets serious
Two years and 24 starts into the Kenny Pickett experiment, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t know what they have in the former first-round pick. While Pickett has shown flashes of being a good quarterback, we’ve rarely seen him show signs of being a great one.
Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles even led to Mason Rudolph getting a chance to show why he deserves to be the Steelers’ starting QB. But after coming up short in the playoffs against Buffalo, the Steelers may have to consider other options.
We’ve already seen how competitive they can be, with Pickett and Rudolph benefitting from Mike Tomlin’s excellent defenses. But how much further could a proven talent like Russell Wilson take Pittsburgh? It’s hard to imagine they’d do any worse.
New England Patriots make shocking decision
Right now, the New England Patriots have the third overall pick, which has led to most NFL mock drafts projecting a QB such as LSU’s Jayden Daniels to be their top selection. While the Patriots may very well prioritize getting a potential franchise QB of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft, there are a few different scenarios that could lead to interest in Russell Wilson.
Draft experts view Daniels as the third-best QB, but what if Patriots scouts don’t feel the same way? It wouldn’t be wise to ‘force’ picking a QB just because the franchise isn’t sold on Mac Jones. Plus, having the opportunity to land a certified No. 1 wideout like Marvin Harrison Jr. could be far too enticing to pass up for a team that lacks playmakers.
Then again, there’s also a possibility that the Patriots take the upside with Daniels and still bring in a veteran like Wilson, who can help their young QB develop. If New England and Wilson are ready to bet on each other, expect a motivated Patriots roster to come out firing on all cylinders in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings add Super Bowl QB
Chances are, the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins work out another contract that brings the Pro Bowl QB closer to his goal of retiring in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. However, with their cap situation, signing Cousins again is no guarantee.
As the best free agent quarterback available in a league that has several teams desperate for improved play, Cousins is likely to have a handful of suitors knocking down his door when free agency begins. Cousins still has his eyes set on winning a Super Bowl, and if there’s another team that he feels gives him a better chance to accomplish his goals, we could see him land with another contender.
Yet, with Justin Jefferson on the roster, the Vikings won’t suddenly embark on a rebuilding effort. They’ll still want to win now, and while adding a potential long-term solution through the draft remains a possibility, the Vikings could be the perfect landing spot for Russell Wilson.
In Minnesota, Wilson would not only benefit from Kevin O’Connell’s schemes creating advantageous situations, he’d also have one of the best groups of pass-catchers in the NFL. Not to mention, the Vikings also have a sturdy offensive line, with both offensive tackles signed at least through 2025. Simply put, if Wilson wants to compete right away, it’s hard to find a better situation than the Vikings.
Related: Russell Wilson Eyeing Vikings as Possible Landing Spot for 2024
Atlanta Falcons solve longtime QB woes
Arthur Smith led the Atlanta Falcons to three seven-win seasons while working with Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, and Desmond Ridder. Are you surprised the Falcons couldn’t make it work with that rag-tag group of quarterbacks? We’re not.
But each year the Falcons have added another offensive weapon through the draft, starting with Kyle Pitts, then Drake London, and most recently, Bijan Robinson. That cast of skill position players makes the Falcons an attractive fit for any quarterback eyeing his next team. For Wilson, being able to play in the climate-controlled atmosphere of Mercedes-Benz Stadium should only help the 35-year-old be more consistent, at least at home.
Plus, after hiring Raheem Morris, the goal will be to win immediately, not a year or two later. Adding Wilson puts the Falcons on track to be competitive the moment he touches down in Atlanta. Plus, with the Falcons not picking until eighth, they may find themselves just outside of the ideal range to land a top NFL Draft QB prospect, which means adding another veteran like Wilson may be their best option.
Las Vegas Raiders give Russell Wilson a chance at revenge
This scenario would only be possible if the Denver Broncos release Russell Wilson, as there’s no chance they’d be willing to trade a former franchise QB to their division rivals. However, if Wilson does become a free agent, then the Las Vegas Raiders become my favorite destination for the nine-time Pro Bowl QB, who surely has a massive chip on his shoulder after being pushed out of Seattle and Denver.
Given the chance to play against the team that said he wasn’t good enough twice a year, you can bet Wilson would be highly motivated to get his revenge. After all, Wilson still showed he could be an above-average, sometimes great quarterback during the 2023 season, and the Raiders may be the most QB-needy team in the NFL. Plus, now that Tom Telesco has been hired from another division rival after the Los Angeles Chargers moved on, we are beginning to fall in love with the idea of the two teaming up in Vegas.
Wilson’s arrival would be a sight for sore eyes for Davante Adams, who is eager to get back to the playoffs after reaching the postseason six times in his eight years in Green Bay. Meanwhile, he’s yet to experience that same success in Vegas. Adding a QB like Wilson may not be the long-term solution the Raiders desperately want, but considering the alternatives, he may be the best player available.
