Russell Wilson Has Been Named the Giants' Starter for Week 1. But Why is the Early Announcement a Big Surprise, and How Long Will the Veteran Last?

Arguably, the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns are the two teams in the NFL with the most extensive quarterback room heading into 2025. Given my own surprise in seeing Russell Wilson named the starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, I decided to take my own look at the Giants’ quarterback situation and try to determine how long the veteran quarterback could last as the starter in the Big Apple. 

(Image Credit to AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

At this point, it’s well known that the Giants will be entering the 2025 NFL season with fresh on-field leadership. A lot of it.

In the latter half of the 2024 season, the New York Giants released former starter Daniel Jones after a six-season stint with the team. The Giants would conclude the season with Tommy Devito and Drew Lock splitting starts at the quarterback position. 

With Drew Lock heading back to Seattle to serve as the backup for former Vikings starter and 2024 Comeback Player of the Year finalist Sam Darnold, the Giants were left with just Tommy Devito atop the depth chart. At this point, it was quite clear that they needed to get a quarterback during the offseason in some form. 

And they didn’t just get a quarterback. They got a lot of them. 

Not only did the Giants sign Russell Wilson to a one-year, $10.5 million contract, but they also brought in former first overall draft pick Jameis Winston on a two-year, $8 million contract. In terms of younger quarterback talent, the Giants used Houston’s first-round pick (25th overall) to acquire former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Add that all up, and you have four quarterbacks who have a case to be starting games at some point in 2025. In addition, one can see why it might be surprising that Giants head coach Brian Daboll went and named Russell Wilson the starter at the onset of training camp.

While Russell Wilson will be the Week 1 starter, there are a handful of factors that will be working against him. 

First of all, it’s clear that the veteran quarterback’s best days are behind him. While we are talking about a Hall of Fame contender here, he is also turning 37 in November and there is a considerable chance that he could retire at the end of the season. 

In addition, the opening half of the Giants’ schedule is daunting. Not only do they play the Philadelphia Eagles twice before November starts, but they also go head-to-head with the Washington Commanders in Week 1 and then the Kansas City Chiefs just two weeks later. A Week 5 encounter with New Orleans should provide some reprieve, but six of the team’s first eight games are against playoff teams from last season. Going 2-6 in that stretch, including a win in the Week 5 game against New Orleans, should be the bare minimum for Russell Wilson as the starter. If they can’t hit the 2-6 mark when November ends, then the Giants will likely have to assess Russell Wilson’s ability to finish the season as the starter. 

With all of the above said, it will be quite interesting to see where this quarterback battle heads over the next three months. Does Jameis Winston get the backup nod in what could be a pass-heavy Giants offence? Is Jaxson Dart the long-term answer in New York? And can Russell Wilson solidify his place in the Giants lineup? All of these questions will have a major influence in the outcome of the Giants season, with the third being the most important as training camp continues to roll on. And it could easily be the one that defines New York’s season altogether.  

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Article written by Noah Guttman