Sportsnaut
The biggest splash the New York Giants made this offseason was signing 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year $10.5 million deal, which could earn up to $21 million with incentives.
The team believes they finally have a quarterback who can lead them to success while providing leadership both on and off the field. Through OTAs, Wilson has exhibited those qualities, and his teammates and coaching staff have taken notice.
“I see a lot of things in Russ and things that I watched from afar for a long time. His time in Seattle, Denver, Pittsburgh, just the leadership, the command. You see that on the field. I think the players are responding to it. You see the competitiveness that he brings, the demeanor that he brings,” said Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The Giants signed Wilson knowing they would select a quarterback in the draft and thought the 36-year-old would be the ideal candidate to mentor a rookie. But Wilson doesn’t just want to mentor Jaxson Dart — he wants to mentor all of his teammates and bring out the best in them.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just being my best every day, leading. I always think about just leading everybody, just leading every room, every moment, every time I get to step between the white lines and the opportunity of that. We had a great dinner the other night, all the guys, all the O-line and quarterbacks and running backs together. We just had a good time, just tons of laughs and a good time together,” Wilson said.
If the Giants are going to have any chance of fielding a competitive team this season, they need Wilson to play at a high level. Despite entering his 14th season, the veteran quarterback hasn’t shown signs of slowing down or losing arm strength.
Fourth-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was asked if he’s confident in the 36-year-old quarterback.
“Yeah, no doubt. Even the first time we threw, me and (Darius) Slay(ton) were both like, this is actually better than we expected,” said Robinson. “And so, no, we were ecstatic about it, and couldn’t be more happy that he’s our quarterback.”
Measuring the impact of a free agent acquisition during OTAs can be premature. But after the team set a franchise record for losses in 2024, and with only three winning seasons since 2012, getting a proven winner like Wilson is invaluable.
Since entering the league in 2012, Wilson has suffered only three losing seasons as a starter. He has compiled a 121-77-1 record, won a Super Bowl and reached another. These numbers will one day lead him to the Hall of Fame.
Wilson isn’t thinking about the Hall of Fame — he’s focused on resurrecting the Giants franchise and leading a third different team into the playoffs. So far, everyone in the organization has faith that he’ll do...
