Russell Wilson isn't quite ready to cede the spotlight. While speaking at his introductory news conference on Wednesday, the newest New York Giants quarterback revealed he expects to open the 2025 regular season as the starter.
“I expect to be the starter. … You've got to lead, I think this team is looking for someone to lead them in every way.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2025
New #Giants QB Russell Wilson, upon signing 👇👇👇 https://t.co/K2lqR3ob6w
"Yeah, I expect to be the starter and come in here and be ready to rock and roll every day," Wilson said, per Around the NFL writer Nick Shook. "You've got to lead. I think this team is looking for someone to lead them in every way."
Wilson signed an incentive-laden one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Giants earlier this week. He joins a quarterback room that also includes Jameis Winston, who signed with the Giants earlier this spring on a two-year, $8 million contract.
Even if Wilson does open the season as the Giants' starter, he'll likely be on a short leash. The money on his new deal is not commensurate with a franchise quarterback. It falls well short of the one-year, $14 million deal former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones signed with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month. Jones is expected to compete with 2023 fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson for the chance to start.
Signing Wilson should not preclude the Giants from pursuing alternate options at quarterback, particularly in the draft. They hold the third overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and have been linked to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. If they see potential in the young passer, they could potentially start Wilson until they deem Sanders ready.
In any case, Giants fans shouldn't expect too much out of the 2025 season. No quarterback available to them is going to suddenly turn around their offense. They've finished 30th or worse in points scored in four of their past five seasons and are coming off a disastrous 3-14 campaign. Perhaps most alarmingly, they've allowed a preposterous 133 sacks since 2023. Wilson may have a very long and very punishing year ahead of him.
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