The Giants’ depth chart at quarterback is coming into focus. Despite adding Jameis Winston, the team will bring in Russell Wilson. After visiting the Giants in back-to-back years, Wilson is coming aboard, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Wilson has since confirmed the agreement.
Wilson will receive $10.5MM guaranteed on a one-year deal, per Schefter, who adds the nine-time Pro Bowler can earn up to $21MM via incentives. Wilson had been waiting to sign for a bit, standing behind Aaron Rodgers in line among veteran quarterbacks.
This move effectively takes the Giants out of the Rodgers market. It had become fairly clear Rodgers did not view the Giants as a desirable destination, despite the team making what is believed to be his top offer this offseason. Nevertheless, the Vikings and Steelers have been more closely tied to the all-time QB talent compared to a team coming off a 3-14 season. And the Giants will move on. The Steelers had expected Rodgers to visit the Giants, via SI.com’s Albert Breer, but that no longer appears to be in play.
Wilson, 36, had viewed the Giants as a viable landing spot dating back to early February, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds. Back in 2021, he had also placed the Giants as a team he was interested in landing with via trade. He visited the team briefly in 2024, instead joining the Steelers while the Giants made a final attempt to make the Daniel Jones contract work. With Jones long gone, Wilson will be all but certain to start in Week 1 for the 2025 Giants.
Winston is now in place as a quality backup, and the team will undoubtedly still look into QB prospects. Though, a report earlier today indicated the Giants may be OK signing another vet and looking at passers available after No. 3 overall. Part one of that scenario is now complete.
For Wilson, this provides a landing spot after he had been forced by the Giants and his 2024 team to wait on Rodgers. The Steelers had aimed to re-sign Justin Fields, but they could not keep Wilson’s primary 2024 backup off the market. Fields joined the Jets, and Wilson will now follow his former teammate to the Big Apple. The Rodgers watch continues, but it will now be Steelers, Vikings or retirement for the 20-year veteran.
This agreement should qualify as a relief for Wilson, who was effectively deemed a replaceable option by the Steelers, who ranked Fields and Rodgers ahead of him. Wilson has not closely resembled his superstar Seattle version since departing in a 2022 blockbuster trade, though he has shown flashes. This includes a five-game win streak with the 2023 Broncos and having the Steelers — with an early assist from Fields — at 10-3 last season. But Pittsburgh sank to 10-8, losing a one-sided wild-card game in Baltimore. This prompted a reexamination from the Steelers, who have made it known they are willing to wait on Rodgers. With the Giants out of the way, that should probably embolden the Steelers, who clearly have some confidence Rodgers — his Vikings preference notwithstanding — remains in play.
The Browns joined the Giants in hosting Wilson, while Joe Flacco also visited New York about being a Giants bridge. A weekend report indicated the Giants would still pursue veterans even after Winston’s one-year, $4MM deal came to pass. This should offer protection in the event the draft board does not fall the Giants’ way.
It is not a lock Shedeur Sanders will be available at No. 3 overall, with the Colorado product linked closely to Cleveland as well. The Giants have shown interest in trading up to No. 1 overall, but Titans-Cam Ward ties are increasing. Ward may not be available, and while the Giants have been continually tied to Sanders, Wilson could offer some cover in the event an embattled Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime goes with a non-QB move in Round 1.
After a shocking decline marred Wilson’s 2022, he showed signs of life under Sean Payton in 2023. Wilson, who battled multiple injuries in 2022, did not miss any starts due to injury in ’23. He ranked eighth in passer rating, but QBR only slotted him 21st. While a slimmed-down Wilson showed an increased interest in running during his ill-fated season with Payton, the Broncos attempted to move his guarantee vesting date — to no avail — during a messy divorce that began midway through the ’23 season. Wilson remained the Broncos’ starter for 15 games, but the team benched him to protect an injury guarantee from vesting in Week 17. Denver then took on a record-smashing $83MM-plus in dead money to drop Wilson in March 2024.
QBR placed Wilson 22nd last season. Wilson had won the starting job over Fields to start the season, but the accomplished vet aggravated a training camp calf injury that led to six missed games. Select Steelers staffers and players voiced support to keep Fields in the starting lineup, but Mike Tomlin overruled them, installing Wilson. At first, the longtime Steeler HC’s choice proved correct. Wilson piloted Pittsburgh to six wins in his first seven starts. Rumblings about a Steelers re-signing emerged during that stretch, one that included a game-winning TD pass (to Mike Williams) to down the resurgent Commanders and a 414-yard outing against the Bengals. As the competition stiffened, however, the Steelers wilted. This led them to go another way, installing Wilson as a fallback option.
Having previously rostered another QB on the Hall of Fame fringe, in New York icon Eli Manning, the Giants now look to have another. Wilson may have done enough to secure Canton access in Seattle, but his Denver decline invited some doubt. As Wilson has declined athletically, his penchant for taking sacks has been under the microscope. Wilson’s 560 sacks taken are fourth all time, though Rodgers’ 571 top the list. A Giants O-line that has been unable to rely on All-Pro LT Andrew Thomas will now be tasked with protecting a historically sack-prone passer.
That said, Wilson being the first QB in NFL history to pair 40,000 passing yards with 5,000 rushing yards will help his eventual Canton case. A two-time Super Bowl starter who powered the Seahawks to eight playoff berths in his 10-season Seattle stay, Wilson also remains fourth in NFL history for rushing yards by a quarterback (5,462). The former third-round pick’s best rushing days are certainly far behind him.
Armed with another chance to submit quality work, the 14th-year passer will now play with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton in New York. The Giants are likely on the hunt for more tight end help, but they re-signed Slayton and chose Nabers over J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix last year. Wilson is now the Giants’ bridge while Schoen and Co. assess the 2025 draft class.
Warming the seat for Sanders would represent new territory for Wilson, who has never needed to fend off a rookie for his job. The Steelers gave Wilson assurances upon signing he would be their Week 1 starter; only injury prevented that. How the Giants proceed in the draft will determine how long of a leash Wilson likely has, but despite a down Steelers ending, he has secured a chance to add to his 199-start total.
LET’S RIDE GIANTS FANS!
You cannot be excited about this. Unless you know it means Rodgers is not going to sign with the Giants.
If you know you no longer have to care about what Rodgers does, I think it’s a worthy exclamation….what is Pittsburgh gonna do if Rodgers doesn’t sign there?
Wilson is a competitor go get it
God I hope AR isn’t a Steeler.
why?
Because he’s sucks and only cares about himself.
Well there is a theory that caring only about yourself benefits the whole. Something to do with capitalism but if he doesn’t want to go out like a bum, that means he plays well, and they probably win games.
Being a cancer in the locker room helps no one…
That’s from the same people who call flat earth a theory.
Oh please with that. You all love capitalism.
Oh? You’ve met him, or are you going by others say who don’t like him?
Since Rodgers spoke out against the experimental jab, all the normies have it in for Rodgers. Independent thought and intelligence are not much valued by most sports fans.
Pretty sure most people hated Aaron Rodgers way before that. But I know, victimization is a thing these days.
Steelers whiff again. Looking more and more like they’re going to have to trade up in the draft. It would be poetic if they traded with the Bears and Poles robbed them like he did the Panthers and got way more than the 4th round pick they were supposed to get. Yep it’s still getting funnier every article I read.
And hopefully balance out that brutal Chase Claypool trade. That trade left a scar on Poles.
It’s amusing when conspiracy theorists champion “individual thought” and “intelligence”.
Kind of like all the people who believe every conspiracy theory about Trump and now Elon?
How do you use the term conspiracy theorist with a straight face?
@Alec Kinnear: “Independent thought and intelligence are not much valued by most sports fans.”
You unironically use the term “normies” while accusing others of not thinking independently and lacking intelligence. Bravo, you have no self-awareness.
Seriously, this hate because he didn’t go along with the hivemind is genuinely pathetic.
He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer. Stop embarrassing yourself.
… who hasn’t had a quality year since 2021, and who had a QBR of 48 last year.
Looks like it’s time for the gm and coach to pack the bags if this is the best you could do when you had to show positive signs this year to keep your job.
At least the Jets found their bridge QB in a businesslike manner.
Lil bro syndrome is strong here.
The Giants are now New York’s little bro team, especially in Connecticut and the Hudson Valley.
Did the Giants have better options this offseason? They tried for Stafford but he had no interest. Same with Rodgers.
So the main reason Brian Daboll got a head coaching job was because he was there for the extremely successful development of Josh Allen. So then he gets a head coach job, he gets a slight uptick from the disappointing quarterback the last regime overdrafted, watches that go south immediately after a senseless extension, follows that by getting not one but two veteran quarterbacks who aren’t a viable path going forward, and now he’s most likely going to get fired without them ever actually drafting a quarterback for him to try to develop. Fascinating team building approach all around.
There’s a small part of me that thinks they’ll still draft a QB, just not at #3. Maybe Dart or something with their second pick (or using it to trade back into the first round for him) or McCord in a later round.
But, with this move, I don’t think Daboll is actually going to get fired. They can maybe win 7 or 8 games and claim progress and keep their jobs.
Winning 7 or 8 games will only make it harder to draft an actual franchise quarterback, not that I think they’ll actually win 8 games as currently built. Daboll and Schoen’s incentives don’t really line up with the best interests of the team.
Oh, no doubt. The timeline of the team rebuild and Daboll/Schoen’s needs don’t line up at all. I think their ceiling is 7-8 wins (dependent on the draft; Hunter or Carter improves them now, Sanders maybe not so much). If they win 6 or fewer, they’re both fired and the Giants can have another top five pick to address QB.
That makes sense. I still keep coming back to the question of what the point of this offseason and season is for the Giants.
Taking Carter or Hunter at 3 and then the March for Arch
Nonsensical comment
Expect the Giants to be playing Sunday afternoons at 1 o’clock local time. Even when they play Dallas or Philly.
Chucky: they had a ridiculous four prime time games last season despite being 6-11 the previous season and a poor outlook. I would be shocked if they didn’t get 2-3 prime time games again this year. I’d rather they play at 1 pm and just get it over with.
John Mara has admitted the Giants prefer every game at 1 o’clock. They get doubleheader and night games only cos they’re in NFC East.
Of course they will look at a qb. RW and Winston at thier age are bridge. They are not long term. Giants with that 3 pick need to do something for future.
There’s a very high likelihood the Giants draft Shedeur Sanders. Which would likely give Daboll at least two more years in NY (this season and next) to develop the young QB.
Exactly, they can still draft Sanders. Signing Wilson vs not signing him doesn’t change anything. It just protects themselves in case Cleveland drafts him.
I get that part. What I don’t get is signing both Winston and Wilson.
Winston Wilson was a Heisman winner at Harvard.
I didn’t ever think they were taking him anyway, but they’re definitely not taking him now. They’re probably taking Carter at three so that they can get off of Thibodeaux’s contract after or during this next season. They’re not paying him when they just traded for and paid Burns, especially with how disappointing he’s been. I expect they’ll take a QB later as a developmental player. This regime needs to win some games. There isn’t going to be a reprieve for 2026 if they don’t come close to a playoff run by some miracle.
Russell Wilson was not available for large parts of last season. Jameis Winston throws the ball all over the field, but he’s mostly available (not injury free, but only short stints on IR so far). Hopefully one of them will be available on any given week next season.
You speak as if that wasn’t a huge accomplishment, what he did with Allen, like he was always going to be that good whoever coached him. Daboll did an amazing job. The Giants problem is that they stuck with Daniel Jones way too long, and that’s an organizational failing. He was on what, his third coach when he finally got released? They should have been looking for an real alternative the first year they got there. At this point, they’re doomed unless some crazy breaks go their way next year like catastrophic injuries in the division.
I absolutely think Allen is a huge accomplishment. Maybe the best quarterback development I’ve ever seen. My point is that makes it strange a team would hire Daboll and not give him any fresh clay to mold.
You hit on a big point here
Seems like most teams want ready-made QBs coming right of college these days as opposed to the few who still work to actually *develop* kids.
I understand the top draft picks being ready to go. But nowadays, it seems as if most teams have no time to develop kids who are left in the later rounds
Yeah, that’s an organizational failing. You have to figure out who was spearheading Jones as the franchise QB. I can’t see that being Daboll with how he chewed him out when he got there, and Shearn seems to go along to get along with a lot of decisions. Mara was involved in drafting him, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why he didn’t fire them last year since he might have insisted on them continuing to try to make it work when they would have wanted to move on.
I don’t dislike Daboll but he hasn’t been great with the Giants. Like you said his greatest achievement is the development of Josh Allen. I am pretty sure Josh Allen would still be Josh Allen without Daboll. I know he helped him as a coach I am not doubting that. But who is to say he couldn’t have been developed just as well with one of the other 31 teams?
I don’t think Daboll has had the ideal situation in NY and I don’t think Wilson and Winston make his job any easier. It will be an interesting situation to watch going forward. On a lighter note, I am curious to see what Shane Steichen can get out of Daniel Jones in Indy.
The Bills sucked for 25 years before they developed Allen, and do you not recall how bad he was his first couple of years? He couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn and looked like Anthony Richardson out there. Like the other poster Oooof said, his development is probably one of the greatest achievements for an offensive coordinator in modern NFL history from where he started to where he left him when he got the Giant job. Not to mention that he took a noticeable step back under Dorsey until this last year with Brady. His handling of his defensive coordinator is probably the biggest knock on him if he wasn’t standing on the table to keep Jones, and from every indication I saw from last year’s Hard Knocks to even how he spoke of him after the playoff season, I can’t see that being the case. Mara kept Jones through three different regimes. When it goes that far, that’s coming straight from ownership, not people with their jobs on the line.
The oddest and dumbest game of musical chairs in NFL history is almost over.
Everyone lost.
Hahaha my thoughts exactly. Once Kirk goes somewhere all the lateral moves will be complete lol
This would be a lateral move if the Giants weren’t so awful. This is actually a huge upgrade, even when you consider that Wilson isn’t that good.
I Agree it’s definitely an upgrade for the Giants…but there is something the Steelers don’t like about Wilson which doesn’t make sense either. Unless Arthur Smith just flat out refuses to have any Passing game of note (which as a bias Falcons fan I believe to be true).
I try to understand how Smith (and Tomlin) take offense of Russ calling audibles and lighting up the Bengals for 44 points. Then they handcuff him and lose 5 straight
How does that make sense, exactly?
Is this junior high ball?
Wilson was never a good fit for Smith, given that Smith likes to work the middle of the field and Wilson doesn’t.
Smith is seriously a terrible coach. It has to be said.
What he did with that Falcon offense was something to behold. It was hard to watch.
@66 Agreed…both 2024 Steelers’ QBs will be playing in the Meadowlands next season for the 2 NY teams. While the Jets’ old QB *could* end up with the Steelers. Insanity!
The insanity comes in the ominous notes, though
Rodgers tells the Vikings they were his first choice. Or still are
Heir apparent JJ McCarthy says yesterday that no one in the Vikings organization have told him he’s the guy this year
Sounds to me like the Steelers very well could be left holding the bag. And after how they handled all of this, they deserve it
This is the real story. They erred in trying to keep Fields on the cheap in the first place as their first choice. They should have committed to Wilson on the Baker Mayfeild type plan and drafted a developmental upside QB. Heck, it sounds like they could have gotten him for even cheaper. Aaron Rodgers is not going to play for an offensive coordinator like Arthur Smith who runs a foreign offense to anything he’s ever played in that’s run-first in focus.
Honestly how does Arthur Smith keep getting jobs?
Reminds me of that Thanos meme when his daughter asked what he gave up to win lmao
I look at it more as a game of hot potato: you’re just trying not to be the one left stuck with Aaron Rodgers in the end.
If this move means they draft Hunter or Carter at #3 and don’t blow the pick on Sanders, sign me up.
Also just $10.5 million guaranteed seems like a great deal.
What a joke. I’d rather go with Winston.
At only $10.5 million guaranteed, it’s not a bad move at all. If he sucks, play Winston.
Jameis is terrible lol
How to say the Giants are tanking for Arch Manning without saying it.
What other QB could they get in 2025 to win the most games? Wilson is as good as they can get. If they really wanted to tank they would have stuck with Tommy DeVito.
People talk like Russell Wilson is Mason Rudolph, lol. Even at this age, he’s still an upper half of the league starter, and outside of the Hackett year, he has always won games in the league, not exactly the easiest thing to do in the league. It’s a longshot for them, but it was worth the gamble to save their jobs. Jameis Winston has never won consistently in the league. His only winning season was a 9-7 year in Tampa and when he started 5-2 that year with New Orleans when he got hurt.
To believe people on this site, at least half a dozen teams should be tanking for a kid who’s barely played and might not even come out next year.
I doubt Arch Manning declares for the draft in 2026. I’m certain he will play two seasons as a starter for Texas before he’s ready for the NFL.
And a kid whose family blueprint is to stay in college and soak up all the lower level experience you can, and that was before colleges could legally pay them. Arch Manning won’t be in next year’s draft and probably not 2027 either.
Absolutely. Both Peyton and Eli had 40+ college games on their record when they left.
I also wonder if these people realize that Arch Manning is currently 19 years old. So he’d be 20 a year from now. No way are the Mannings letting their legacy kid go into the league to likely fail with just a handful of starts at that age.
Daniel Jones had a Manning connection — how did that turn out?
The chances of Arch Manning coming out after next year is zero. Both of his uncles played four years when there wasn’t any NIL money. Anyone think he’s sat at Texas for years to rush through one year starting where he can be paid like a pro for a few more years? Not a chance.
#AbominateForArch
Wow, Steelers really screwed at this point. Giants took the AR view on the Vikings and made a move.
Guess it’s AR or Joe Flacco at this point. Unless they have something on the table for Cousins
Khan is quickly turning into a major failure.
They’re really groveling at Rodgers’ feet now and he knows it. What a train wreck
Looks like the Steelers are going to be left without a chair when the music stops x
Get that private office and 2 parking spaces ready.
Hahaha and game room and snack table
What’s with the hating?
I get that it’s popular to rip Russell Wilson for having his own office with the Broncos, but the intent was to make it easier for him to work longer hours studying film, etc. It wasn’t to give him a place to take naps and bang secretaries.
They got Wilson and Winston for 14.5 million!!!!!!
Plus incentives.
Now they have draft control !
WELL PLAYED!!!!!
I will take Russell Wilson over Aaron Rodgers any day. Good signing, Giants! Plus, Russell actually gets alone with his family.
At this point, I would too.
Who cares who gets along with their family? What a weird cheap shot.
Hunter or Carter?
I think Hunter. But would not cry about Carter
Not getting past Cleveland imo.
Who’s QB for Cleveland?
You still might be right
Cousins after the draft. If they trade for him now, everyone knows their intentions and won’t call with possible deals.
Hunter imo
Carter slightly.
Historically Giant football is great defense.
He makes that defense potentially frightening.
A defense that got lit up for 40 and 49 by Dallas two seasons ago?
Carter.
Not really sold on Hunter.
Giants country let’s stomp!
No more Ward and Sanders talk, doubt they go with Hunter or TT cause they’ve got pass catchers. My bet is Carter or Graham. Carter would be a great pick up if he did fall to 3.
If Hunter is there, I would be shocked if they didn’t take him. He’s a CB that you can also play at WR.
They have Nabors, Slayton, and Wan’Dale. Slayton is more of a #3/deep threat. Wan’Dale is a possession receiver that lost all of his ability for YAC last season. They’re not thin at WR but it’s not like they wouldn’t be thrilled to add someone as talented as Hunter to that group.
No way Hunter sticks at CB.
Wan’Dale also is definitely a gadget guy more than anything else.
Wan’Dale is definitely not a ‘gadget guy’. He’s a possession WR. Please note how awful he is at gaining any yardage after the catch. Dude had 93 catches last year and didn’t even clear 700 yards lmao. Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?
The problem with Wan’Dale’s “possession” game is that he runs 40 yds East to West, and then gains 2 yds North to South ……….
When you have the first pick in the draft, you aren’t a veteran QB away from competing. This move is pointless for a team that should be rebuilding. If anything Wilson will help them win a few more games and hurt their draft position next year.
This is why they should have fired the coach and GM already; their best interests run counterproductive to the team’s best interests. Schoen and Daboll are simply trying to save their jobs.
I wonder how much he’s going to disrespect his offensive coordinator/play caller by not running plays he’s supposed to run
Giants are garbage. Russ wants New York. Terrible fit. Career ender. Jets taught Rodgers valueable lesson. At his age he needs Vikings. lol. 😂 Rodgers could sign in sf. He could also sit and play first injury. Older QBs in the 5-17 weeks could really improve a team. I’m excited to see what the Vikings do. And also where cousins goes. In my opinion. These guys both have throttle.
They won the loser QB competition.
If Cleveland drafts Sanders 2nd overall, their GM needs to be fired. They should go with Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter if Ward isn’t available.
I still can’t believe Tennessee is gonna pass on a generational pass rusher to draft Ward but taking Sanders over him? Certifiable.