Report shares why Russell Wilson signed with Giants over Browns

Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson met with the Cleveland Browns during free agency before he signed a team-friendly deal to join the New York Giants. 

On Sunday, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer revealed information regarding why Wilson chose the Giants over the AFC North club this spring.

"The Browns didn’t get very far down the road with Wilson because it became apparent after his visit to the team facility two weeks ago that it wasn’t a fit," Cabot explained. "They viewed him as a bridge, and he still views himself as a full-time starter for multiple years. Even though the Giants haven’t guaranteed him such an opportunity, they still signed him to a one-year deal worth $10.5M with incentives worth up to $21M, more than the Browns want to pay for an older quarterback while they’re transitioning to a younger roster."

Cabot's update is interesting for multiple reasons. The fact that the Browns didn't want to pay a rather inexpensive price for Wilson could show the team isn't willing to trade for 36-year-old Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons unless Atlanta picks up a significant portion of the salary attached to the four-year contract he signed in March 2024. It could also indicate those running the Browns have quietly already decided to make Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders the second pick of this year's draft.

As for the Giants, they reportedly will be just fine drafting Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 if both Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward, the consensus top signal-caller in this year's class, are off the board. Many assume the Tennessee Titans will hold onto the draft's first choice so they can grab Ward. 

"Indications are that it would take a major haul for the Titans to trade the top pick," The Athletic's Dan Duggan said for a piece published Monday morning. "The speculation at the combine that the Giants could move up to No. 1 for just two third-round picks seems quaint now."

While the Giants are set to enter springtime workouts with Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito in their quarterback room, Big Blue could target a project for the future outside of the first round, such as Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, depending on how things play out on April 24. Assuming Cabot's information is accurate, it sounds like Wilson isn't too concerned about losing the Giants' starting job to a highly drafted rookie later this year.