Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson continues to fall down the New York Giants depth chart.
Things don’t seem to be going too well for former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in New York as the Giants have demoted him once again.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Giants have elevated Jameis Winston as their No. 2 quarterback, and he is expected to start in Week 11 in the event rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart doesn’t clear the concussion protocol. The change comes after New York named Mike Kafka its interim head coach.
More changes for the #Giants: Jameis Winston is elevated to No. 2 QB and expected to start Sunday in the event Jaxson Dart doesn’t clear the concussion protocol, per The Insiders.
Winston was moved ahead of Russell Wilson, as interim coach Mike Kafka informed them. pic.twitter.com/Do4IuTVaWq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2025
The news shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. Wilson has struggled in his limited action with the Giants, completing just 69 of his 119 passes (58%) for 831 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
However, it certainly doesn’t help Pittsburgh’s 2026 NFL Draft compensatory pick formula.
Playing time for Wilson is important to the Steelers, who are counting on Wilson’s departure to New York earning them a compensatory draft pick for the 2026 NFL Draft. With Wilson’s playing time percentage plummeting while he sits on the bench, Pittsburgh’s projected return is also dropping.
According to Over the Cap, Wilson had initially been projected to net a fifth-round pick in return. That has now likely fallen to a sixth-round return or worse, though.
The Steelers may have still had hoped that Wilson could revive his status if he either took back over for Dart or was called to start if the rookie was ever injured, but that no longer seems possible.
Pittsburgh should be fully focused on its 2025 season, which it has lost three of its last four games and continues to lose its grip on the AFC North. However, the Steelers’ future is just as important, and Wilson’s second demotion of the season doesn’t help their efforts to go get their next franchise quarterback in 2026.
A third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson has thrown for 46,966 yards, 353 touchdowns and 114 interceptions in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ex-Steelers QB Russell Wilson Gets Demoted Once Again in New York
