Ex-Steelers QB Named Potential Target for Browns in Wild Trade Idea
Quarterback has been a bit of a circus for the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 calendar year. That has only continued recently, with the Browns trading veteran Joe Flacco before their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
This week, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the circus behind center for the Browns could continue. On Tuesday, Knox named the Browns one of two potential suitors for former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
“The primary reason Wilson might draw interest? He’s cheap. With a base salary of just $2 million, he would be a budget alternative for any team currently getting poor quarterback play or in need of a veteran mentor,” wrote Knox.
“He will also remain the most sensible QB target if and when another starter goes down with a long-term injury.”
This year alone at quarterback, the Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, signed Flacco and then drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Over the past seven weeks, Cleveland has now traded Pickett and Flacco.
The idea the Browns could now be interested in Wilson is absolutely wild.
Why Browns Could Acquire Another QB
Trading Flacco seemingly cleared roster room for Sanders to be QB2 for the Browns going forward. However, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name Sanders the backup for Gabriel in Week 6 early this week.
“All roster type of things, I always have to be mindful of our players and our players’ development,” Stefanski told reporters. “And I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team. But with young players, I’m always thinking about — last week, making the change to Dillon, you have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that you are so invested in their development.
“So, I’ll let the week play out [and] make a decision later.”
Cleveland trading Flacco to help a division rival only to then turn around and give up draft assets for Wilson would be bizarre. But it makes sense for the short term if the Browns aren’t comfortable with Sanders as QB2.
With the Browns, Wilson wouldn’t receive his next opportunity to start. In fact, he’d be a mentor to another rookie signal-caller (a pair of them).
But if Wilson costs less than what Cleveland received for Flacco, then the Browns could win the quarterback exchange.
Why the Giants Probably Want to Trade Russell Wilson
The New York Giants received a bit of a scare with Jaxson Dart on Thursday night. The rookie quarterback left briefly to be evaluated for a concussion.
But he returned to the game, a contest the Giants defeated the defending champions 34-17.
Dart is now 2-1 as an NFL starter. On Thursday night, he completed 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards with a touchdown. Dart also ran for 58 yards and another score.
If Dart suffers an injury like he almost did Thursday, Wilson could start for the Giants again. However, New York also has veteran Jameis Winston.
The Giants could move on from Wilson, dealing him for draft compensation, and promote Winston as QB2.
Knox projected Wilson’s trade value to be a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. That could be an appealing price for both the Browns and Giants.
Giving up a sixth-rounder means the Browns keep the fifth-round pick they received for Flacco. For the Giants, they will get what they can for Russell Wilson.
The veteran quarterback could be seeking a fresh start anywhere.
Dating back to last season, Wilson has now lost seven consecutive regular season games. That’s the longest losing streak of his NFL career.
Yankees to Cut Ties With Ex-$130 Million MVP After Team’s Playoff Exit: Insider
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The New York Yankees are expected to make a major change.
The New York Yankees could be headed for a roster shakeup as the club heads into the offseason with plenty of decisions to make. New York could look to free agency for help in an attempt to return to contention.
The Yankees also have several of their own key players who will be free agents as well, including first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty report that the Yankees do not plan to re-sign Goldschmidt.
Instead, New York is expected to turn to Ben Rice to take over as the club’s new first baseman.
“The Yankees have eight players who are unrestricted free agents: Paul Blackburn, Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham, Amed Rosario, Austin Slater, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams and Ryan Yarbrough,” Kirschner and Kuty wrote in an October 8, 2025, story titled, “Three key offseason questions after Yankees’ playoff loss to Blue Jays.”
“They have two players who have a club option: Tim Hill ($3 million) and Jonathan Loáisiga ($5 million). Cody Bellinger has a $25 million player option that he’ll almost certainly decline to pursue a long-term deal,” Kirschner and Kuty added.
“Goldschmidt will not be re-signed, as Ben Rice is the club’s first baseman of the future.”
The Yankees Are Expected to Move on From 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt has an impressive resume over his 15-year MLB career, but the Yankees appear to be looking towards the future. The former MVP is a 7-time All-Star, 4-time Gold Glove winner and 5-time Silver Slugger.
Goldschmidt hit .274 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 76 runs in 145 appearances in 2025. The veteran played on a one-year, $12.5 million contract, a far cary from his previous five-year, $130 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Another team should be able to sign Goldschmidt to a favorable deal. Spotrac projects Goldschmidt’s market value is a one-year, $7 million contract.
Yankees Manager Aaron Boone on Ben Rice: ‘He’s Proving Himself as a Really Formidable Hitter in This League’
Rice hit .255 with 26 home runs, 65 RBI and 74 runs in 138 appearances for the Yankees in 2025. Yankees manager Aaron Boone appeared to gain confidence in Rice throughout the season.
“I think we’re seeing the emergence of a true middle-of-the-order bat with power,” Boone said on September 21, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “He’s proving himself as a really formidable hitter in this league.”
Yankees 1B Paul Goldschmidt Did Not Rule Out Potentially Retiring
Goldschmidt sounded optimistic about continuing to play, but left the door open to potentially retiring. After the Yankees were eliminated, Goldschmidt discussed his future.
“I think I’d like to continue playing, but I hadn’t sat down and thought about it,” Goldschmidt explained on October 8, per Newsweek. “I was expecting to continue to play here and all that, but I still love playing.
“I still have fun out there. I still want to try to go in, love to compete, so we’ll have to see what happens. I’m thankful for my time here. I don’t know what the future’s going to hold. I just try to give everything I have every day. My fortune really came up short.”
