ESPN projection says Russell Wilson won't be starting for any NFL team next season

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will enter free agency looking to join his third different NFL team in the last three years. Despite putting together a decent season for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson is not expected to return in 2025.

The 36-year-old led the Steelers to the playoffs, passing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions over 11 starts. Wilson would probably be back in Pittsburgh next year if not for a rough four-game stretch to end the season and an ugly loss in the wild-card round.

Where will the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback land next season? ESPN's Seth Walder projected the starting quarterbacks for all 32 NFL teams in 2025, but Wilson missed the cut.

Walder floated Cleveland as a possible landing spot for Willson but projects the Browns to wind up with Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

"Cousins, who could be released by the Falcons even though they said Tuesday that they would be open to him returning as a backup, would be available for close to the veterans minimum, like Russell Wilson was last year, if Atlanta moves on," Walder explained.

As for the Seahawks, ESPN thinks Geno Smith will return but doesn't rule out the possibility of the team adding a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft.

"Smith is close to locked in, but I expect the Seahawks to select a quarterback in this year's draft and you never know how things will shake out if that occurs," wrote Walder. "Still, Smith has been a solid steward of this offense despite a shaky offensive line and struggling run game."

Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he's working with Smith on an extension but nothing has transpired yet. The 34-year-old passed for a career-high 4,320 yards last season. While Smith's touchdown-to-interception ratio could be better (21 touchdowns to 15 interceptions), he completed over 70 percent of his passes and led the team to 10 wins.

The veteran quarterback is entering the final year of his contract and arguably overdue for a raise based on his production over the last three seasons.

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