Former Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is the latest free agent quarterback domino to fall in the 2025 NFL off-season.
The Giants were one of multiple quarterback-needy teams this off-season. They now have Wilson and fellow free agent signees Tommy DeVito and Jameis Winston in-house.
New York was a popular landing spot for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, one of the top passers in the 2025 NFL draft. Wilson’s signing changes New York’s outlook at the No. 3 overall pick.
Sanders may still end up in New York or potentially elsewhere. Here are our top landing spots for the Colorado quarterback:
Cleveland Browns
Wilson signing in New York narrows Cleveland’s options at quarterback for 2025. They may have to settle for Kenny Pickett as the starter.
The Browns hold the No. 2 pick and that’s the clearest path to getting Sanders. Miami quarterback Cam Ward is likely to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, leaving the Browns to take the next-best quarterback in the class.
Cleveland may not be fully committed to this, though. The team reportedly met with Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, a well-regarded mid-round prospect who may fall in the draft due to being an older player. The Browns may opt for the best non-quarterback at No. 2 and address the position later in the draft.
New Orleans Saints
New Saints coach Kellen Moore inherits a roster with Derek Carr at quarterback, a player who was in-house from a prior regime. Moore could see where Carr is as well as Spencer Rattler’s development and opt instead to draft a high-floor player like Sanders at No. 9 overall.
With Carr and Rattler already in the building, there would be less pressure for Sanders to start right away. He may be more of a long-term answer for the franchise as it changes under Moore and his staff. Or the Saints could instead live with Carr or Rattler in 2025 and look to address the position in 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers made the playoffs last year behind one of the best defenses in the league. Most of the key starters return in 2025 and Steelers fans may be thinking the team is just a quarterback away from truly contending.
Sanders would be an immediate impact starter as a high-floor prospect and provide the offense with baseline competence thanks to his accuracy, timing and poise. His skill set wouldn’t maximize new wide receiver D.K. Metcalf or George Pickens, but with Wilson and others off the market, they may not be able to be picky. Sanders at the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 draft also seems like an appropriate spot.
New York Jets
Yes, the Jets signed Justin Fields in free agency but we learned in the 2024 NFL draft that a free agent signing doesn’t preclude a team from drafting a quarterback in the top 10. New York has multiple needs on both sides of the ball but a long-term answer at quarterback is one of the biggest.
New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn comes from Detroit, where the Lions took Jared Goff and built an offense that made him one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. Sanders’ NFL-ready skill set could ensure that if Fields does not work out, the Jets have another option who should be at least a league-average starter.
Miami Dolphins
Now, this is a wild card, but hear me out. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has suffered multiple concussions in recent years, and when that happens, Miami’s offense stumbles without him.
Sanders’ timing and accuracy could offer Miami an ideal backup or even succession plan to safeguard the franchise from another Tagovailoa injury. Miami has 10 picks in the 2025 draft and spending the No. 13 selection on Sanders could make sense for the team long-term.