Russell Wilson Joins the New York Giants: A New Era or Just a Stopgap?
It’s official, folks! Russell Wilson is now a New York Giant. This move, which almost happened a year ago, is finally a reality. Back then, Wilson visited the Giants, but with Daniel Jones as the starter, the Giants weren’t ready to offer Wilson more than a backup role. Instead, Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Daniel Jones is no longer with the team, having been released last season, and Wilson, now 36, is stepping in as the projected starting quarterback for the Giants.
The Giants’ decision to bring in Wilson comes after a thorough search for a veteran quarterback in free agency. Alongside Wilson, the Giants also signed Jameis Winston, making it a rare veteran free agent double dip. Aaron Rodgers was also considered but remains a free agent. The Giants are coming off a disappointing 3-14 season, and the pressure is on general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll to turn things around. They’re banking on Wilson, with Winston as a backup, to be the bridge to a potential rookie draft pick and to demonstrate that the roster is competitive early in the season.
At the NFL combine, Schoen was candid about the Giants’ need for a veteran quarterback. They made a serious attempt to acquire Matthew Stafford but came up empty. The focus then shifted to finding quarterbacks who could serve as a bridge and possibly mentor a quarterback obtained through the draft.
What does this mean for the future of the franchise at the position?
In the grand scheme of things, not much! The signings of Wilson and Winston don’t prevent the Giants from finding their future franchise quarterback in the draft. They are merely short-term solutions at this point. While Wilson was once a top-tier QB and a Super Bowl winner, he’s not at that level anymore due to reduced athleticism and mobility. Winston, on the other hand, hasn’t been a full-time starter in five years. The Giants are still expected to address the quarterback position in the draft, either at pick No. 3, by moving up in the back end of the first round, or on Day 2. Owner John Mara has made it clear that finding a quarterback of the future is the top priority this offseason. Wilson and Winston aren’t that. — Jordan Raanan
Where are the Giants in their rebuild?
The pursuit of Stafford and the eventual signing of both Winston and now Wilson is an admission that the Giants are trying to straddle a rebuild and compete in ’25 at the same time. Schoen all but admitted this several weeks back when he said the Giants were going to look for “the best player available that can help us win games in ’25.” Due to a lack of high-quality options, Wilson was the choice. — Raanan
What are the draft implications for the Giants?
Signing Wilson alters the Giants’ expectations in 2025, given his history as a playoff-caliber quarterback, but it shouldn’t affect the team’s draft plans next month. Wilson signed a one-year deal for what will be his age 37 season. With the No. 3 overall pick in Round 1, the Giants are still in prime position to draft their quarterback of the future — someone like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders — and have him as their foundation for the 2026 season. That rookie can then spend the upcoming season learning behind Wilson and Winston. — Matt Miller
How much does Wilson have left in the tank?
That’s a question only Wilson himself can answer. Despite a decline in performance in the Steelers’ five-game losing streak to close the season, Wilson reiterated a desire to play for 5-7 more years. In his year with the Steelers, Wilson was undeniably less mobile, but he didn’t appear to have the physical drop-off of other quarterbacks playing into their late 30s. His arm talent is still evident, though his accuracy and decision-making weren’t always consistent. Wilson’s biggest obstacle to continuing his career with quality quarterback play is accepting direction from his coaches and making smart, even if safe, decisions. — Brooke Pryor
Will Wilson accept the role of mentor?
All signs indicate that he would accept that role — and he’s done it before in Denver with Jarrett Stidham when he was benched late in 2023 and with Justin Fields last season as Wilson worked back from the serious calf injury that caused him to miss six games. The bigger question is whether his leadership style and larger-than-life persona would be effective with a younger quarterback. — Pryor
Does this signing improve the Giants’ offense?
I’m not sure how to be enthusiastic about adding Wilson given what we’ve seen from him over the past few seasons. The Giants represent his third new team in the last four years. He joined the Broncos as a big-money trade acquisition and immediately underperformed; he joined the Steelers as a steadying veteran presence to ride an elite defense to the postseason, and barely cleared that bar.
Surely, that’s what the Giants are pursuing now: a reliable, veteran presence in their quarterback room. It would make sense … if they were drafting a young quarterback next month. But with Winston also signed, a rookie would be QB3. It’s not impossible that a team would sign two potential veteran starters and draft a quarterback early — it’s just not usually done.
Given Wilson’s career arc, it’s unlikely that he holds the starting job for a full season over Winston with his quality of play; doubly unlikely if a rookie is waiting in the wings. Wilson is a big name but a small impact on any roster he joins. — Ben Solak
What are you hearing on this signing around the league?
Wilson and Winston on the same sideline will be mandatory viewing on Sundays. While signing a bridge starter and a bridge QB2 with starter’s potential could be seen as unusual — especially when factoring in the team’s No. 3 overall selection in April’s draft — the presence of Wilson and Winston is an upgrade from last year’s depleted quarterback room. “They’ll both give you enough to be functional as an offense,” one AFC executive said.
Giants fans who watched last season will understand the importance of that line. As mentioned above, Wilson’s signing does not preclude them from selecting a passer with the top-three pick, but some around the league do concede there’s a chance this is the Giants showing their hand in how they feel about this quarterback class. “Odd couple,” a separate AFC exec said of the Wilson-Winston signings, “and it would tell you they ain’t taking Sanders.” — Jeremy Fowler
Originally Written by: Multiple contributors
