Is Russell Wilson heading for New York? Quarterback 'has exploratory meeting with the Giants' after $242m Denver Broncos nightmare ends - so could he rival Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in the Big Apple?

Russell Wilson could play in New York next season, as the veteran quarterback held an 'exploratory meeting' with the Giants following reports that the Denver Broncos will release him from his $242million, five-year contract this offseason.

According to ESPN, the 35-year-old, one-time Super Bowl champion stopped in New Jersey on Friday to meet with team executives while on his way to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers. 

The soon-to-be free agent was even snapped at Newark airport in between visits.

Earlier this week, the Broncos gave Wilson permission to seek a new employer before they officially release him when the 2024 NFL league years begins on Wednesday. The Broncos are facing a huge dead-cap hit of $85M but can save some money if Wilson lands a new deal elsewhere. 

The Giants appear to be in the QB market, either through April's target-rich draft or free agency, despite giving incumbent starting signal-caller Daniel Jones a four-year, $160M contract extension last March. 

Russell Wilson made a stop in New Jersey to meet with Giants' execs' on his way to Pittsburgh on Friday, according to several reports

The soon-to-be free agent will rival Jets QB Aaron Rodgers in New York if he joins the Giants

Jones, 26, made only six starts and finished the 2023 season on injured reserve with a torn right ACL. He is 22-36-1 as the starter since being drafted sixth overall in 2019, leading to New York to only one playoff appearance in that span. 

Meanwhile, multiple outlets reported Thursday there is mutual interest between Wilson and the Steelers. 

Signing Wilson -- or Kirk Cousins or trading for Justin Fields, for that matter - would indicate that Pittsburgh isn't convinced that Kenny Pickett can lead them to a Super Bowl. Wilson took Seattle to a pair of Super Bowl during a decorated decade with the Seattle Seahawks, winning a championship at Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. 

When Picket, their 2022 first-round pick draft pick, got injured in December, backup Mason Rudolph took over and led the Steelers (10-7) to the playoffs with three straight wins. Rudolph is an unrestricted free agent. 

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, was benched for the last two games of the 2023 season to avoid an injury that would trigger guarantees in his contract. He posted a 11-19 record in 30 starts with the Broncos. 

He won 104 regular-season games as the starter in Seattle and has passed for 43,653 yards with 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions in 188 career contests. He has added 5,307 rushing yards and 29 scores.