Earlier this week, free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson had a visit with the Jets. He’s also looking at another potential path.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Wilson is in “deep discussions” to embark on a television career. Per Marchand, CBS is considered to be the favorite.
Wilson has made bye-week appearances with CBS, and its Sunday studio show currently has an opening after the departure of Matt Ryan for a high-level job with the Falcons.
Marchand also reports that CBS has shown interest in Hall of Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly.
With Wilson firmly in the backup-at-best phase of his football career, it makes sense to explore available options in TV. Very few quarterbacks who were once the highest-paid player in the league choose to continue as understudies when their opportunities as starters have dried up. (Joe Flacco is the rare exception.)
Wilson, who seems to be interested in remaining in the New York area, could work for CBS from its Manhattan studio. It makes too much sense to not happen, if CBS ultimately decides to make him an offer — and if he accepts it.
Wilson, a third-round pick in 2012, won a Super Bowl and went to another during a decade with the Seahawks. He then spent two seasons with the Broncos, one with the Steelers, and one with the Giants. He started three games in 2025 before being benched for rookie Jaxson Dart.
With the Jets, Wilson would be the backup to Geno Smith, Wilson’s former backup in Seattle.
The Jets announced on Wednesday that they have exercised their fifth-year option on edge rusher Will McDonald’s contract, but they did not share their plans for defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The lack of word from the team suggested that they have decided to pass on picking up the option and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that is the case. Smith would have been guaranteed $13.931 million under the terms of the option year.
Dallas picked Smith with the 26th overall selection in the 2023 draft and he was traded to the Jets as part of the Quinnen Williams deal last year. He appeared in three games for the Jets after having 57 tackles and two sacks in 39 games for the Cowboys.
Passing on the option was expected given Smith’s underwhelming production in the league, but he could still play himself into the Jets’ plans for the future with a strong 2026. If he doesn’t, he will be set for unrestricted free agency next March.
Former NFL quarterback and Fox analyst Mark Sanchez faces criminal charges in Indianapolis arising from a fight with a 69-year-old truck driver.
The trial against Sanchez has been delayed, again.
Via WRTV, the date for the trial has been moved from May 28 to July 13. A pre-trial conference is set for July 8.
It’s the fourth time the trial date has been moved.
Sanchez faces a charge of felony battery and multiple misdemeanors. Under the felony battery charge, Sanchez faces up to six years in prison.
The truck driver, Perry Tole, has sued Sanchez and others.
During the fight, Tole stabbed Sanchez multiple times. Tole was not charged; the authorities concluded he was acting in self-defense.
The Jets have made a decision about their option on edge rusher Will McDonald’s contract for 2027.
They announced on Wednesday that they have elected to exercise that option. The move sets McDonald up for a fifth season with the Jets and it guarantees him a salary of $13.752 million.
McDonald was the 15th overall pick of the 2023 draft and he has played 47 games over his three NFL seasons. McDonald had three sacks while playing a limited role as a rookie, but has 18.5 while appearing on two-thirds of the team’s defensive snaps over the last two seasons.
The Jets drafted David Bailey with the second overall pick last week and the two pass rushers will help spark a defensive turnaround for the Jets if all goes according to plan in 2026.
Geno Smith served as Russell Wilson’s backup for two seasons in Seattle. Could Wilson be Smith’s backup with the Jets?
Zack Rosenblatt of TheAthletic.com reports that Wilson visited the Jets on Monday night and is an option for the backup job to Smith.
Smith, per Rosenblatt, was presented with various options for the No. 2 job and was “excited” about the prospect of having Wilson in the quarterbacks room. Wilson and the Jets spoke before the draft and scheduled his free agent visit.
Wilson, 37, has received no other known interest since becoming a free agent in March.
He said at the end of last season that he intended to continue his NFL career.
Wilson went 0-3 as a starter for the Giants in New York before being benched in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart. Wilson completed 58 percent of his passes for 831 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in 2025.
In his 14-year career, Wilson has a 121-80-1 record with 46,966 yards, 353 touchdowns and 114 interceptions. He has made the Pro Bowl 10 times. He led the Seahawks to a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
