Russell Wilson
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Russell Wilson and the New York Giants are predicted to make the wrong kind of history in Week 1.
Signing 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson is a big reason why the New York Giants believe they’re primed for a rebound in the 2025 NFL season, but one observer predicts Big Blue and their new QB1 will make history for all the wrong reasons against the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
Wilson won on his last visit to Northwest Stadium, but the trip on Sunday, September 7 for his regular season debut in a Giants uniform will turn out differently. That’s according to Garrett Podell of CBS Sports, who predicted Wilson will lead a Giants team set to become the “first team in 21st century to be outscored by 20-plus points in three straight season openers.”
As Podell put it, “No team has done so in three consecutive season openers in the 21st century, but the Giants will become the first. Why? Russell Wilson is their starting quarterback. The 36-year-old version is no longer good enough to lead an NFL team to victory on a consistent basis anymore.”
It’s a bleak prediction considering the work the Giants have done to retool their roster this offseason. Particularly at football’s most important position, but Podell isn’t sold on Wilson.
Instead, he sees more of the misery the Giants suffered on the last two opening days, when Daniels Jones self-destructed at the controls. Mistakes from Jones amid faulty pass-protection led to the Giants being thumped 40-0 by the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, before the Minnesota Vikings left MetLife Stadium with a 28-6 victory in 2024.
Both teams tormented a jittery Jones, and similar concerns about Wilson, combined with the Commanders boasting superstar second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, could spell more opening-day misery for the Giants.
Russell Wilson Doubts Hover Over Giants’ Rebuild
Wilson’s decline owes a lot to “the beating his body has absorbed,” according to Podell. The latter pointed out “Wilson’s 560 sacks taken in his 13-season career are the most in NFL history through a player’s first 13 seasons, and the next closest player through their first 13 seasons, Ben Roethlisberger, absorbed over 100 sacks fewer, 456.”
Those numbers form a warning for a Giants team likely set to be without its best offensive lineman, Andrew Thomas. The All-Pro left tackle is dealing with a foot injury and remains “doubtful” for Week 1, with Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News not expecting “him to play in this game with so little practice time prior. Although Thomas said ‘we’ll see’ today.”
#Giants officially list left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) as doubtful for Sunday against the #Commanders. As I've said, wouldn't expect him to play in this game with so little practice time prior. Although Thomas said "we'll see" today.
Malik Nabers (back) did not practice but…
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) September 5, 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll sounded less confident about Thomas’ availability. Not having Thomas in the lineup would increase the pressure on a signal-caller who’s had problems avoiding sacks throughout his career.
Wilson takes extra punishment but Podell also cited how the veteran’s production tumbled down the stretch last season. When the then-Pittsburgh Steelers starter “averaged under 200 passing yards a game (193.6) while barely producing more touchdowns (seven) than turnovers (four),” during a five-game losing skid that took in playoff football.
Yet, for all the valid concerns about Wilson’s recent form, he’s not Jones. There are good reasons to believe the Giants will be more competitive with Wilson throwing the passes on this opening day.
Giants Can Change Week 1 Script
Turnovers and sacks hamstrung the Giants during the last two season-openers, but there were still positive plays to be made. Gains Daboll and re-empowered play-caller, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka can expect Wilson to produce.
He’s still an elite vertical thrower, somebody who burned the Commanders for 195 yards and three touchdowns when the Steelers won on the road in Week 10. Wilson’s best throw was this 32-yard game-winner to wide receiver Mike Williams.
Having elite wideout Malik Nabers to throw to with the Giants means Wilson is still dangerous. So does his potentially prolific combination with breakout candidate, tight end Theo Johnson, who beat the Commanders in a key area last season.
Wilson can conjure enough big plays through the air to keep the Giants in the game long enough for their loaded pass rush, led by No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, to knock Daniels off his stride.