Giants quarterback Russell Wilson has a lot on the line this season as he looks to prove he is still an effective, impactful, starting-caliber quarterback. According to a couple of NFL analysts, the bar is set high for Wilson.
On Thursday’s episode of FS1’s “The Facility,” Fox Sports NFL analyst and former linebacker Emmanuel Acho said the Giants need to have a winning season for Wilson to consider the year a success.
“A successful season for Russ is to win nine games,” Acho said. “I do not care what you do individually because I don’t think the world cares what you do individually. I was talking about Russell Wilson yesterday with some of his close confidants, and I was talking about the fact that Russell Wilson, over the last two seasons, has 42 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. How do you have 42 touchdowns, 13 interceptions over the last two seasons, and you’re on your third team? What you do individually, Russell Wilson, does not matter nearly as much as what you do collectively.”
Wilson, who signed a one-year deal Tuesday worth up to $21 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed, is in line to be the starter. However, the Giants’ schedule could make it difficult for them to reach nine wins, as 10 of their 17 games next season are against teams that made the playoffs last year.
Fox Sports NFL analyst and former quarterback Chase Daniel added that Wilson will face significant pressure, especially with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll’s jobs on the line.
“I believe that if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen don’t win 10 games or make the playoffs, they will be fired,” Daniel said. “That’s a lot of extra pressure for Russell Wilson coming in. Even though it’s fringe starter money—sort of high-end backup money—you have to go out there and earn the starting job because they didn’t give him a $30 million contract. I think there are more things at play, and we’re going to find out more as we get closer to the draft.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.