NFL Rumors: Browns Signing Russell Wilson Would Have 'No Bearing' on Draft Strategy

If the Cleveland Browns sign quarterback Russell Wilson, it would reportedly have "no bearing" on what the team decides to do with the No. 2 overall draft pick, per league sources to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

"Whether that's Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders remains to be seen, but league sources remain adamant that signing Wilson will have no bearing on their decision with the No. 2 pick. He represents a bridge, nothing more, nothing less," Schultz wrote.

"Maybe it's a year, maybe it's six games, but Cleveland — who just paid a record-setting contract to Myles Garrett — will begin the youth movement under center sooner rather than later, regardless of if Wilson signs."

Per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Wilson visited the Browns on Thursday but left without a deal. He's set to meet with the New York Giants on Friday.

Cleveland needs to figure out a long-term solution at quarterback with the Deshaun Watson era all but over at this point. He is under contract for two more seasons, but Watson has been ineffective when healthy and is now recovering from a ruptured Achilles that will likely force him to "miss significant time" in 2025.

The 36-year-old Wilson could certainly be a stopgap before the team hands the keys to a hopeful long-term solution at quarterback. He fared well for the Steelers last season, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

But Cleveland, at No. 2, is in position to take a quarterback. The B/R NFL Scouting Department only has two quarterbacks under first-round consideration in Miami's Cam Ward (No. 9 overall) and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders (No. 18). The next-closest signal-caller is Ohio State's Will Howard (No. 54).

The latest consensus big board from NFL Mock Draft Database has Ward first and Sanders fourth.

Regardless of what the Browns do, it's clear that adding a veteran like Wilson may not affect the team's future plans. Ultimately, Cleveland does need to figure out a solution there as a team that's played quarterback roulette since returning to the league in 1999 looks for much-needed stability and success.