The New York Giants have signed veteran QB Russell Wilson on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $33.3 million (AUD).
The 36-year old will be the new-but-old quarterback for the Giants. They needed a veteran on their roster and Wilson certainly qualifies.
Wilson will likely be a short-term option on a one-year deal worth up to $33.3 million (AUD) — $16.66 million (AUD) — as the Giants continue to hope they can select a quarterback up high in next month’s NFL draft, a rookie to take over whenever he is deemed ready to do so.
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Consider Wilson a consolation prize, as the Giants had their sights on Matthew Stafford and then Aaron Rodgers before settling for their No. 3 choice.
Last week, they signed Jamies Winston to a two-year deal.
As Rodgers mulled his decision — the Giants and Steelers both wanted him — the Giants became proactive, bringing in 40-year old Joe Flacco for a visit meeting with Wilson at the team facility in recent weeks.
The Giants did not want to wait any longer and made a deal with Wilson.
Wilson should be a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate five years after he retires but he will not start the clock on that countdown just yet.
The Giants were desperate to reel in someone they felt comfortable with as their starting quarterback and Wilson is their choice — although not their first choice.
For nearly a month, the Giants were in pursuit of Stafford and had terms of a contract extension in place after the Rams gave them permission to negotiate with him.
In the end, Stafford decided to re-up with the Rams and the Giants had to pivot.
Wilson was also not the Giants’ second choice. They wanted to lure in Rodgers, the 41-year old cast aside by the Jets, but that did not materialise.
Wilson and the Giants could have become a thing last year.
Wilson as a free agent came in for a visit but he was looking for a place where he could start.
The Giants had Daniel Jones in that role and were looking for a backup.
Wilson moved on and signed with the Steelers. The Giants added Drew Lock.
There are no illusions by the Giants that they are getting a player in his prime. Wilson is well past his best days with the Seahawks.
He was a 2012 third round draft pick out of Wisconsin and put together nine consecutive winning seasons to start his NFL career in Seattle.
He was the first quarterback in league history to start two Super Bowls in his first three NFL seasons.
He won it after the 2013 season and nearly was a repeat champion, but in Super Bowl XLIX, Wilson from the New England 1-yard line with 25 seconds remaining was intercepted by Malcolm Butler.
Wilson was 104-53-1 in his 10 years with the Seahawks.
He went 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos and was 6-5 in 2024 with the Steelers.
He won his first four starts last season after replacing Justin Fields but the Steelers lost their last four games.
Wilson and the Steelers then lost in the AFC wildcard playoff round to the Ravens.
As a 10-time Pro Bowler, Wilson has 350 career touchdown passes, 111 interceptions and a 13-year passer rating of 99.8.
He won the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2020 and he and his famous wife, singer and actress Ciara, are involved in several charitable endeavours.
Wilson, though, is not for everyone. He has not always come across as the best locker room presence, he has at times blamed others for his failures and he often does not come across as genuine.
Get ready to hear “Go Giants!’’ after every Wilson interview.
Wilson joins a team coming off a three-win season, putting head coach Brian Daboll and general managerJoe Schoen squarely on the hot seat.
They must produce far better results in 2025 and that created real desperation to find a quality quarterback.
This regime went with Jones in 2022 and re-signed him to what essentially was a two-year commitment for $82 million.
The Giants received no return on their investment, as Jones went down to a torn ACL in 2023 and was benched after 10 games last season.
The Giants need Wilson to be a capable placeholder, as the plan remains to select a quarterback in next month’s NFL draft.
They own the No. 3 overall pick and will look to move up to No. 1 if the Titans make that pick available. That trade would almost definitely be to select Cam Ward out of Miami.
If no trade is made and Ward or Shedeur Sanders of Colorado is on the board at No. 3, the Giants would likely take the quarterback and allow the rookie the time he needs to acclimate to the NFL, while Wilson fills the starting job.
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